Brooklyn Sports Geeks

And in punting news

2011-10-01T21:23:00.000-04:00

1. Ohio State scored 7 points today, and punted 10 times. I enjoyed that. And I am sure Michigan State fans did, too. I think anyone will take a 10-7 win in the Horseshoe, any time.

2. Virginia Tech's punting game was abysmal. Sub 20 yard punts should never, ever happen. This is not the Beamerball we have heard so much about, not even close. In any case, Clemson retained the Silver Ball comfortably, with a 23-3 win. Next up, Boston College, bringing in an 0-6-1 record in Silver Ball matchups.

Ask Y

2011-09-30T23:38:00.000-04:00

BYU continued to rebound from their week 2 and 3 sadness, adding to last week's comeback over UCF with a stunner against Utah State. The winning touchdown came after a wildly fluky downfield pass into the red zone, a horribly flubbed attempt at clock management losing 15 vital seconds, and a deflected pass falling gracefully into the arms of a waiting receiver with just 11 seconds left. Right place, right time, 27-24 miracle win.

Friday night games this year have been crazier than a barrel full of crazy monkeys. Gotta love it.

Keeping possession

2011-09-24T20:42:00.000-04:00

Clemson took a thriller against visiting Florida State, 35-30, retaining the Silver Ball. That was an outstanding game, marred only by Florida State's many penalties. They really should have won it, I dare say. Next week the Tigers visit Virginia Tech.

Of the teams I favor, I will mention only Michigan, 28-7 winners over underdog San Diego State, but lacking anything resembling a passing game in this one. Great to see the love between coach Brady Hoke and the staff and players on his old team, too.

On TV now, it's a tough choice. LSU-West Virginia, or Mizzou-Oklahoma? I think I'll try to keep track of both games.

Dramatic night

2011-09-17T23:01:00.000-04:00

After a holding penalty and a couple of bruising stops for loss, Florida State faced 3rd and 28 on their own 44. So here's reserve QB Clint Trickett, untested and raw, victimized by a punishing sack on the previous play, dropping back... and oh so calmly hitting his man with the deep pass for a 56 yard score. Nice. 13-13 in the fourth quarter between #1 Oklahoma and #5 Florida State.

Meantime, Miami cleaned up Ohio State in the Ineligibowl. BYU is leading newly minted major conference rival, Utah. USC is holding off Syracuse. Oh, and Stanford is playing Arizona. It's a good night to be a neutral fan.

Stop press: Oklahoma strikes back with a fantastic catch in the end zone, leads 20-13.

Tiger, Tiger

2011-09-17T15:56:00.000-04:00

The Clemson Tigers hosted and upset the Silver Ball champion Auburn Tigers, and the trophy has finally left the South East Conference after a run that began with Florida's win in the BCS Championship in January, 2009. The last Atlantic Coast Conference squad to hold the title was Florida State, in 1992. It's been a long wait.

Robbed

2011-09-03T16:36:00.000-04:00

Utah State did everything but pull off the massive upset at Auburn, failing to defend an onside kick at the death, and paying the price with a 42-38 loss. This is a great shame for Silver Ball watchers (all two of us). It's getting a bit old, writing about the SEC time and again. The Silver Ball would look good in the WAC for a while. Oh well... one day the auld trophy will be wrested away. It always is, eventually.

And we're back

2011-09-03T13:06:00.000-04:00

College football is finally back, and we can put aside the schadenfreude of Miami and Ohio State for a few minutes and watch some surprisingly good week one games, along with the usual gross mismatches. Baylor's win over TCU last night was epic. Oregon and LSU have scheduled an amazingly gutsy out of conference matchup for tonight. Boise State, persistent thorn in the side of the BCS, is visiting Georgia in Atlanta. And Auburn is defending the Silver Ball against Utah State.

OK, that last one promised to be a dud. But as I write, Utah State is leading 21-14. If they had any clue whatsoever about kickoff coverage, the lead would likely be bigger. My money is still on a big win for the Tigers, but this has been a lot of fun so far.

Butler - Pitt

2011-03-20T11:08:00.000-04:00

By now the entire world seems to have heard about the mess at the end of the Butler-Pitt game. The referees got it right: a couple of awful fouls in the final 1.7 seconds of an incredible game changed everything, as Butler won the game, lost it, and won it again. To my mind, this was the strangest finish to an NCAA Tournament game since Indiana beat Duke in 2002.

Encouraging signs

2011-03-20T10:59:00.000-04:00

Zimbabwe completed its World Cup campaign with a 161 run win over Kenya, sharing runs and wickets around the whole team. Things went pretty much as expected through the tournament for Zimbabwe - wins over Canada and Kenya, losses to the power teams. But the really encouraging sign is the composition of the team. For the first time, Zimbabwe has a genuinely integrated team now. Years ago, cricket was an all white sport, which spread only very slowly. Henry Olonga was very much worth his place in an otherwise white eleven, but many of those who came after him were simply thrown in when not ready to equalize numbers. That served both players and team poorly. Now, however, we see a cricket establishment which has somehow separated itself from the government, and given the game broad appeal to all Zimbabweans. Maybe there is a glimmer of hope there after all - can the country follow this example?

Frustration

2011-03-17T15:45:00.001-04:00

My experience so far with the 2011 NCAA Tournament has been poor, to say the least. CBS has the same streaming video availability it had last year, except that this year it seems largely unavailable. Just now, with 4:33 remaining in the Louisville-Morehead State game, the video abruptly stopped and was replaced by:

This has been happening all day. Nice. Thanks. Much appreciated.

Fab Five Furor

2011-03-16T17:46:00.000-04:00

Grant Hill has responded to Jalen Rose's "Uncle Tom" comment during the Fab Five documentary. I'm not sure he has the right angle on what Rose said, but he makes a very valid point in any case. Many of the comments are worth reading, also.

RIP Rick Martin

2011-03-16T10:43:00.000-04:00

Rick Martin, one third of the legendary French Connection, tragically died in a car crash in Akron, New York. He will be remembered for his blinding speed, lethal shot, and a Sabres club record 21 hat tricks.

I don't know what else to say. I'm gutted.

RIP Greg Goossen

2011-03-04T16:17:00.003-05:00

In 10 years, he doesn't have a chance to be 75.

Ireland defeated England

2011-03-02T15:01:00.000-05:00

In cricket. At the World Cup. Featuring the fastest century (50 balls) in World Cup history, by Kevin O'Brien, and the highest total chased down (328), too. I cannot stop smiling at this one.

Yeah, I know, the Ashes. Shut up. I'm enjoying this anyway.

RIP Duke Snider

2011-02-27T19:19:00.002-05:00

I am broken hearted to mark the death of Duke Snider, one of the last of the Boys of Summer. Many may say he lived in the shadow of Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle, but the Duke of Flatbush was a superb center fielder in his own right. His career took a serious dive when the Dodgers moved to Los Angeles, and a field shaped to crush a left handed pull hitter. But that did not matter. His legend was already secure from a decade of dominance in Brooklyn, the home of baseball.

It's a football day

2011-02-06T14:32:00.000-05:00

But please, take a moment to remember Babe Ruth - 116 years old today. No one has ever been, could ever be, to football what Babe Ruth was to baseball. Pictured, Babe Ruth greets the similarly dominant Don Bradman, his guest at a game at Yankee Stadium.

Rivalries in the playoffs

2011-01-18T16:23:00.003-05:00

It's been a monster NFL postseason for intense rivalries. We've had the recent, hostile Steelers-Ravens and Jets-Patriots series continue into the playoffs, another rematch of Superbowl III between the Jets and Colts, and this week the whole of the Midwest is going crazy for the ancient Bears-Packers matchup.

But there's one game I really want to see. What better way for Brett Favre's much hyped encore season with the Vikings to end than a Superbowl between the Jets and Packers? Please, please, please let this happen.

And we're back

2011-01-11T09:51:00.003-05:00

After a lengthy break for real life work, it's time to post to this blog again. The occasion is Auburn's successful 22-19 defense of the Silver Ball against an outgunned but never-say-die Oregon squad. That was a hell of a game. I wish we could see TCU take on Auburn now...

The Silver Ball bounced around the SEC like a pinball this season. Alabama won four straight before being upset by South Carolina. The Gamecocks immediately lost to Kentucky, who then lost to Georgia, who then lost to Florida. This run of four successful challenges was briefly broken as Florida beat Vanderbilt, but then the Gators lost to South Carolina. Determined to hold on to the trophy this time, South Carolina handily defeated Troy and Clemson. Then big bad Auburn finally got a shot, winning the Silver Ball and the SEC Championship with a resounding 56-17 thumping. With last night's win, the Tigers can rest easy until the visit of Utah State in September.

Silver Ball trivia for tonight

2010-11-20T21:35:00.005-05:00

South Carolina's 69 point haul against hapless Troy was the largest in a Silver Ball match since Mizzou dropped 69 on Nevada in 2008. You have to go back to 1995 to see a score higher than that: Nebraska 77, Arizona State 28. A crushingly dominant Nebraska squad held the trophy all through that season, winding up 62-24 winners over Florida in the Fiesta Bowl. They even won all of the various "official" championships, too.

It's technically too early to call, but...

2010-11-20T14:02:00.002-05:00

With South Carolina up 56 to 7 over Troy at half time, I declare the Silver Ball safe for this week.

Words you hate to hear

2010-11-17T19:48:00.003-05:00

"Their backup quarterback was a scout team defensive back last week."

Yeah, Akron has a few injury issues. And a horrific record. But they do have a 14-10 lead right now... go Zips!

Edit: And Miami (OH) is down to their third string QB...

Numbers you love to see

2010-11-14T20:50:00.001-05:00

3rd and 30, then 4th and 37.

I love to watch a defense really on its game.

Unwise pronouncement of the day

2010-11-14T17:25:00.003-05:00

The Sprint Cup is basically over for the year. Denny Hamlin is clearly driving the fastest car on the track. At every restart he just burns the field - no one can use the opportunity to catch him. This points lead will only increase before the Chase is done.

Edit: Eating my words on this one. Hamlin's late pit stop hurt, as he finished 12th, and Johnson saved fuel like a pro, even gaining a spot or two at the end as he coasted to 5th. Great drive by Carl Edwards for the win.

Idea for NFL overtime

2010-11-14T15:55:00.001-05:00

No field goals.

A second bite

2010-11-13T22:37:00.002-05:00

South Carolina wins, 36-14, and becomes one of those fun teams that gets the ball, loses it, and gets it back again in the same season. Next week, the Gamecocks host Troy, which takes a break from the tangled mess that is the Sun Belt Conference to take a tilt at the Silver Ball for the fourth time. The previous three attempts were not glorious.

But now...

2010-11-13T22:23:00.002-05:00

Florida is driving, 5:40some to go, down 29-14... never count out a team that until very recently held the mantle of the nation's preeminent football program.

By the way, while it's on my mind: Indiana 20, Wisconsin 83. Yes, 83. Their third string offense is that good - they just couldn't take the foot off the accelerator when they tried to.

Edit: Make that 36-14. Stick a fork in Urban Meyer.

Ducks showing some quacks

2010-11-13T21:59:00.003-05:00

Oregon hanging on to a 15-13 lead, with Cal driving in the third quarter. But we know how fast things can get out of hand when your D starts to tire against those Ducks, too. Meantime in the Swamp, the Gamecocks are shellacking the Gators now, 29-7. If Florida retains the Silver Ball tonight, it will be a hell of a memorable comeback.

Interesting times for the top 3

2010-11-13T20:37:00.003-05:00

While Boise State cruised to a 52-14 win over Idaho, the three teams above them in the race for the alleged national championship have been living on the edge today. Auburn trailed for some time against Georgia, and was tied 28-28 before finally easing away 49-31. Texas Christian trailed 14-zip to puny San Diego State and escaped in the end with a 40-35 victory that won't impress any voters - while TCU's big scalp from last week, Utah, was awful in losing to Notre Dame. And now the world's scariest hurry-up scoring machine Oregon is trailing 7-0 well into the second quarter against Cal.

Meantime, of course, there's one college football title that's only decided on the field, and needs no voters or hog tied computers to tarnish its value. Florida is defending the Silver Ball against visiting South Carolina, and trailing 15 to 7 at half time. This game is a beauty.

Oh, and also: Columbia scored 17 unanswered points in the last quarter, the last with 37 seconds left, to roar to a comeback win over Cornell, 20-17. GO LIONS!!!

Rocky Mountain High

2010-11-07T18:36:00.002-05:00

Your 2010 WFTDA champions are Denver's Rocky Mountain Roller Girls, after an epic 147-146 win over the defending champion Oly Rollers of Olympia. In a wild final ten minutes, the lead changed four times, with the last change being in the final jam. That was a power jam, after the previous one ended with what will be remembered as possibly the most important penalty in roller derby history.

Wow. And we have yet another first time champ, too.

And in the Bayou...

2010-11-06T19:06:00.003-04:00

Alabama 21, Louisiana State 24.

Now everyone can shut the f*ck up about how the Tide should leapfrog Boise State and Texas Christian, ok? Especially if you are the old school type that claims "every week is a playoff." Les Miles is a very happy man, right now. And well he should be. That was a bunch of fun.

Still the Gator Ball

2010-11-06T18:21:00.004-04:00

Florida traveled to Vanderbilt, and for a very brief time in the first quarter it looked like a good game. But the floodgates opened in the second, and the Gators ran up the score in a 55 to 14 rout - breaking a streak of of four consecutive changeovers for the mythical Silver Ball trophy. Next up, recent holder South Carolina gets another shot at the title as the Old Ball Coach revisits his long time chomping ground in Gainesville.

In other news, Michigan's disgraceful D was matched by its scarily effective O in a 67-65 triple overtime win over unlucky Illinois. Kansas scored the last 35 points of the game, all in the last quarter, to record the biggest comeback in school history in a 52-45 win over Colorado. And in "official" national title chase news, Boise State is well ahead of Hawaii, as expected. TCU is well ahead of Utah, in what looked a very close matchup. Oregon is gradually pulling away from an outmatched but very stubborn Washington team. Auburn pummeled Chattanooga - ho hum. And LSU and Bama are locked in a barnburner.

In roller derby, the semi finals are set at nationals in Chicago, and there are no surprises: Philadelphia vs. Olympia, and Gotham vs. Rocky Mountain. Those will be a couple of excellent games - follow the action at Derby News Network.

Championships decided yesterday

2010-10-31T13:23:00.003-04:00

In Suzy Hotrod's last bout for Queens, she was heroic and brilliant as ever, but Bonnie Thunders was just incredible for Bronx, scoring a Gotham record 91 points and leading the Gridlock to their third title. After she dropped a 20-0 jam on Queens late in the first half, it was basically over with the lead at 36. Queens showed life from time to time after that, but Bronx still won 132-98. Well deserved revenge for that upset regular season defeat.

Georgia took the Silver Ball to the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party in Jacksonville, aka the Florida game, which seems to me to be the friendliest long term rivalry in college football. The Bulldogs spotted the Gators a big lead, roared back in the last quarter, but were ultimately doomed by a turnover in overtime. Florida's punter-turned-replacement-kicker Chas Henry nailed the 37 yarder to win and suddenly Urban Meyer is in charge of a national champion again. Even if he doesn't know it. Next up, a trip to Vanderbilt, where I bravely predict the streak of four successful challenges will end.

Spelling lesson

2010-10-30T11:57:00.001-04:00

Will Ferrell on College Gameday:

Last time I spelled it, there was no D in Auburn.

Balldogs

2010-10-24T02:54:00.003-04:00

Georgia did indeed take the Silver Ball from Kentucky, a 44 to 31 result ending the Wildcats' first ever time as champion with ruthless speed. Georgia takes the Ball home for the 25th time, and sports a phenomenal 25-11 record in Silver Ball matches.

The title has now changed hands in three straight games for the first time since 2003. With Georgia taking on Florida next week, a fourth straight has to be a strong possibility - that would be the first time since the 1990 season, when Washington, UCLA, USC, and Notre Dame all failed to hang on to the Silver Ball, and Colorado eventually won it at the Orange Bowl. Champs went just 6-7 that season in Silver Ball games - ugly.

Silver Ball update

2010-10-23T20:31:00.002-04:00

With visiting Georgia up 21-3 at Kentucky, it looks a lot like the Silver Ball will be changing hands for the third week in a row. Which would mean next week, at the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party, the challenger would be... Florida.

Some things never change.

Quote of the day

2010-10-23T18:28:00.002-04:00

This is one of the best minus ten yard runs I've ever seen.

- Gary Danielson

No longer an upset

2010-10-23T15:06:00.002-04:00

Notre Dame 17, Navy 35

Remember that long streak? Remember the absurd level of national attention after Charlie Weis' arrogant fourth down call, Ram Vela's flying sack, and Navy's triple OT victory? Now, Navy pummels Notre Dame with a near unstoppable triple option attack and no one even notices.

The Irish have special BCS status, why exactly? The Irish have their own TV deal, why exactly? The Irish still play football, why exactly?

To reiterate

2010-10-23T09:45:00.003-04:00

The headline here should be that the Texas Rangers won the American League. Advancing to the World Series is a happy reward for that, but first and foremost: they won the damn league. But no. ESPN, Yahoo Sports, everyone leads with "Rangers advance to first World Series."

First things first, people.

Here's a simple test. Cast your mind back to 1951, when Bobby Thomson broke so many Brooklyn hearts with that home run. And if you listen to the radio, imagine that you hear Russ Hodges' epic call of the event, 2010 style:

The Giants advance to the World Series! The Giants advance to the World Series! The Giants advance to the World Series!

Nuff said.

It's a whole other country

2010-10-22T23:10:00.003-04:00

But they still let Texas play in the American League - and they finally won the pennant, in the 50th season of the franchise - the first eleven being in Washington, DC. Game six ended with A-Rod (remember him on the Rangers?) looking at strike three from Neftali Feliz. Oh, the joy. Oh, the rapture. Oh, the irritating country music over the PA system.

Of course, nowadays no-one really cares about the pennant. It's all about advancing to the World Series. Well, I care. Winning your league is still a big deal to me. So congratulations, Rangers fans. You've earned this with half a century of waiting.

A sad day for Gotham

2010-10-22T13:13:00.002-04:00

I am crushed to learn that Suzy Hotrod, without doubt the greatest star of the Gotham Girls Roller Derby, has finally chosen sanity of love life over the myriad attractions of the big city, and is leaving us to be in Philadelphia with her boyfriend. No doubt, she will skate for the Liberty Belles, who may have just become the 2011 WFTDA champions. Before that, though, there is the local final between Queens and Bronx, and the 2010 nationals in Chicago. Let's hope our hero goes out in style...

The craziness continues

2010-10-16T22:07:00.002-04:00

Wisconsin defeated the #1 team in the country for the first time in 29 years, drubbing Ohio State 31 to 18. And Mississippi State won at Florida for the first time in 45 years, hanging on for a nail-biting 10 to 7 result after Florida's stand-in kicker missed a tying field goal attempt.

In other strange results: Rice beat Houston. Auburn and Arkansas set an SEC record for non overtime points in a 65 to 43 crazyfest - remember, just two years ago Auburn won 3 to 2 against Mississippi State. The worst Texas team in decades rolled into undefeated #5 Nebraska's house and won. Rutgers won against Army despite rushing for -1 yard.

The big winners from all of this so far? Boise State (currently leading 48 to 0 over San Jose State) and Texas Christian (ate BYU 31 to 3). Let's go all-mid-major title game!

Wildcats!

2010-10-16T21:16:00.001-04:00

Kentucky now holds the Silver Ball for the first time in history. Congratulations! The Wildcats' combined record in Silver Ball games now: 1-15-1.

If you have ESPN2, go there now

2010-10-16T21:04:00.001-04:00

With 1:15 to go, on a 4th and 7, massive underdog Kentucky just took advantage of a horribly blown coverage in the secondary to score the go ahead touchdown in the Silver Ball game against South Carolina. Can the Wildcats hang on to win the hallowed trophy for the first time?

Time out

2010-10-16T12:38:00.002-04:00

With 9:44 left in the first quarter, Vanderbilt just called its first time out. Not unusual? I beg to differ. Georgia already called its third.

And I thought Les Miles was the worst game manager in the SEC.

ESPN's new Goal Line channel, by the way, is a bunch of fun. Saves a lot of remote work.

Another brick in the wall

2010-10-16T10:46:00.005-04:00

After ten months of waiting, the demolition team has moved in and is tearing down much of the remains of Washington Park, Brooklyn. There is a small amount still standing, which Con Ed has promised us - basically the northernmost section along Third Avenue and around the corner on First Street. Why is that? Because they have been convinced that the northernmost part was built by the Dodgers, circa 1908, and the rest was built by the Edison Company, circa 1920. I can't see any reason to believe either of these propositions, dating the wall, after a good deal of study, to 1914 and the Brooklyn entry in the Federal League, better known as the Tip Tops.

That version of Washington Park was modeled after Weeghman Park - you might know it better as Wrigley Field. To lose any of this wall is a tragedy for baseball historians. But what can I do about it now? I could only think of one thing, today: I kept a piece for myself.

My little piece of Brooklyn's baseball history. I'm not letting it slip away.

South Carolina rises again

2010-10-10T07:21:00.002-04:00

With a stunning 35-21 upset of Alabama yesterday, South Carolina took the Silver Ball home for the eighth time overall, and the first since 1994. This vaults the Gamecocks into the company of Washington & Jefferson and Texas Christian. Next up, a trip to Kentucky - at 0-15-1 in these matches, one of a group of ten schools which has managed to tie a Silver Ball game but never win one.

On the BCS front, the waters are now fascinatingly muddy. Can Auburn and Louisiana State survive the rest of the SEC schedule to stay unbeaten? If not, will a one-loss SEC team bump off Boise State for a place in the title game? Or will Ohio State and Oregon cruise the rest of the way, anyway? Of course my main interest in this is whether the BCS champ is once again the Silver Ball holder, or whether the mythical trophy takes a less predictable path.

Also, in a matchup of teams with 19 combined Silver Ball successes, Columbia beat Lafayette 42-28 to win (get this) three games in a row. Columbia. Three wins in a row. Believe it, Lions fans!

Names in the news

2010-10-06T21:00:00.003-04:00

And here I thought Randy Moss' return to the Vikings was going to be the sports story of the day. Then Roy Halladay went and pitched a playoff no-hitter. For the Phillies, no less.

I wonder which of those two events was less likely?

Let me count the ways

2010-10-04T23:30:00.002-04:00

The Pats' five second half touchdowns were scored five ways: pass, rush, kickoff return, blocked field goal return, interception return. The rush was very nearly a blocked punt return TD, too.

Bizarre.

Looked like a good game at half time, too...

Silver Ball safe in Tuscaloosa

2010-10-02T23:08:00.002-04:00

Alabama put Florida to the sword tonight, battering their way to a 31-6 win. Towards the end, the commentators spoke a lot about nicknames for the Tide's running tandem of Ingram and Richardson. Fast and Furious was their preferred one, by the way. Also on the topic list was quarterback McElroy's upcoming presentation as part of his application for a Rhodes Scholarship. Nice to see an actual graduate student playing a big part at a top football school. I think a game was played at some point, also.

Next up for Bama: a visit to South Carolina.

What you don't want to see

2010-10-02T22:38:00.003-04:00

With the score 31-31 in an epic clash between top ten teams, a game changing turnover comes from the ball carrier being knocked out by a helmet to helmet hit. He was out cold before either he or the ball hit the ground...

Note to Verne Lundquist

2010-10-02T20:36:00.002-04:00

Tim Tebow no longer plays for the University of Florida. You can stop referring to him.

More on the mighty Columbia Lions

2010-10-02T17:39:00.004-04:00

With today's 42-14 win, Columbia made some school history - in the whole series of 79 games against Princeton, this is the first time Columbia has ever won two in a row. Huge kudos to QB Sean Brackett, who had another big day, going 18-for-24 for 273 yards, with a school record 5 touchdown passes and no interceptions. That spark he showed in the ill-fated final drive against Fordham has been unleashed in the last two games, and I'm guessing the play calling has gotten a little more varied, too.

Can these fun times continue? It never pays to be too optimistic as a Columbia fan, let's face it. So I'm just going to enjoy today.

Next up: Lafayette at Columbia.

WE WIN!

2010-10-02T15:50:00.004-04:00

Princeton 14, Columbia 42

Yes, that's the correct final score. More on this game later, when I can get at some recaps. Let's just savor this for now, especially since it means Columbia has more wins than Notre Dame right now.

In other unlikely news, Northwestern is now 5-0 after escaping a tense, mistake prone game (but fun) against Minnesota. Yes, Northwestern. 5 and 0.

The Silver Ball is up for grabs at 8pm, when Florida (previous holder) visits champion Alabama. My money's on the Tide. Or it would be if I bet on these things. Which I don't.

Didn't you know all along?

2010-09-29T22:48:00.001-04:00

Three time Tour de France winner (for now) Alberto Contador tested positive for a banned steroid during the last tour. Imagine my shock. Shock, I say!

Sigh.

Weekend bullet points

2010-09-27T00:21:00.003-04:00

In a packed weekend for me, a few observations and news items:

St. Kilda and Collingwood continued a recent run of dramatic, tense Grand Finals (2005, 2006, 2009) by turning in a thrilling draw. Back next week for more...
Gotham Girls Roller Derby regained the Eastern Region Championship, taking out the Derby in the Burbs tournament with a 30 point win over a fast finishing Philly team.
My vote for best bout of the weekend, though, goes to Steel City's huge comeback win over Carolina to take 5th place. From 43 points down at half time, the ladies of Pittsburgh came out like a whole new team - super organized and disciplined - and won by 36. Amazing stuff.
If you umpire a mostly social sport purely for the fun of it, you'll soon stop when the fun goes away. And believe me, the fun goes away very fast when people start sniping from the bench, openly questioning good decisions, and screaming in your face.
Alabama retained the Silver Ball once more, although the underdog Razorbacks of Arkansas gave everything in their pursuit of the mythical trophy, barely falling short in a 24 to 20 game. Next week, previous holder Florida visits the Tide.
Columbia ran away from visiting Towson, 24 to 10. Go Lions!
Carmelo Anthony could be a Brooklyn Net soon. Stay tuned.

Silver Ball rout

2010-09-18T19:16:00.005-04:00

Alabama traveled to Duke, who were trying to become the first ACC team since 1992 to hold the Silver Ball - and yes, Florida State won a BCS National Championship without taking the Silver Ball in the meantime. No chance for Duke. Bama took out the Blue Devils with ease, 62 to 13. Next up, a trip to Arkansas, who could present a tricky challenge. Only a few poor refereeing decisions and some abysmal field goal kicking stopped the Razorbacks from ending Florida's run last season, so caveat aestus.

Went to Columbia's opening day today, and had a great time, although a stirring final drive was cut short by a disastrous snap in the red zone, leaving Fordham able to run out the clock for a 16-9 win. Columbia made enough big plays to hang around, and even lead for a while, and enough basic mistakes to make sure they lost. Fordham deserved the victory, and in truth were by far the more impressive team. Such is the lot of the Lions. On the plus side, the souvenir stand was selling game worn jerseys from the last few years for $25! I picked up a lovely number 96 road jersey, which neatly commemorates Columbia's excellent 8-2 season of 1996.

Outrageous

2010-09-15T21:44:00.004-04:00

This is what a grotesquely inflated sense of entitlement gets you: rampant crime in a Yankees hat.

And yes, I'm bitter about my Cyclones losing the championship series. But I love them still. Wait til next year!

Rematch time

2010-09-11T12:29:00.004-04:00

The Cyclones travel north to Troy, NY today to take on the Tri-City Valley Cats in game one of the New York Penn League Championship Series. This is the same team they played in the final regular season series, which the Cyclones took 2 to 1 in Brooklyn. The Valley Cats squeaked into the playoffs - their place was confirmed minutes before the last game was played - then beat Batavia in an epic series much like the Brooklyn-Jamestown matchup.

Nervous. Very nervous.

So what does an overly committed Cyclones fan do to relieve the nerves? He gets the team's logo etched into his arm, of course.

Photos to come after the big event. But right now, let me note that making yourself scared about a second thing doesn't help with the first thing at all...

The joy of sudden death playoffs

2010-09-09T09:52:00.003-04:00

The Cyclones kept their season alive last night, tying the semi final series 1-1 with Jamestown. That sounds simple enough, but no game won 9 to 8 on a wild pitch in the 12th inning could ever be simple. I'm still too exhausted to recount all of the many, many ups and downs. Maybe tomorrow. We'll see if the guys are still alive after tonight's series decider...

Sports roundup

2010-09-06T09:43:00.003-04:00

Carlton's AFL season ended in heartbreak in the first week of the finals, for the second year in a row, with a 5 point loss in Sydney. Brave, gutsy, and not quite good enough. Keep at it, Blues. Looking forward to next year. Chris Judd will be another half step slower, but the likes of Garlett, Yarran, and Armfield will be a year wiser. Could be a fun season. But please, can we draft some key defenders?

The Brooklyn Cyclones ended their dominant regular season with a 6-5 win over Tri-City, sending out a series of lesser relief pitchers and somehow surviving the experience. Cory Vaughn's 14th home run set a new team record, and his 56 runs batted in shattered the old mark of 46. Darrell Ceciliani's 2 for 3 effort was good enough to take the league batting title with a team record .351 average. He also set records with his 95 hits and 12 triples. On a personal note, I caught a foul ball and walked on the field for the first time after the game. That was a magical evening.

At the other end of his baseball career, 63 year old Bill "Spaceman" Lee went 5 1/3 innings, giving up two runs, to pick up the win for Brockton over Worcester in the Can-Am league. That's a serious pro league. Impressive. Very, very impressive.

Darrelle Revis has finally signed a new contract with the Jets. This is fantastic news for me, because I can drag out my favorite line again: Welcome to Revis Island. Don't bother bringing a radio, cos there will be NO RECEPTION.

Congrats to Samantha Stosur on her epic three set win over Elena Dementieva. Not only was this the latest women's match in US Open history, finishing at 1:35AM, but our Sam saved four match points to stave off elimination. We're starting to expect great things at this point, which is always dangerous for Aussie tennis players. Fingers crossed for three more wins?

And then there's Jason Day, following up his excellent performance at the Barclays with a third round lead at the Deutsche Bank Championship. Go Jason! Golf is another one of those sports, like tennis and swimming, that Australia likes to think it can own. We have a bunch of good young players now, so maybe more majors are on the way soon. Who knows?

2010-09-05T00:34:00.002-04:00

A near-perfect night at Staten Island. Of course, it helped that we saw the evil Yankees go down, 7 to 2 against the Vermont Lake Monsters. Five time NY Penn League champs they may be, but Staten Island's Yankees are nowhere near the 2010 playoffs. The Brooklyn Cyclones, boasting the league's best record, open up their playoff campaign on the road on Tuesday...

Upset free zone - almost

2010-09-05T00:04:00.004-04:00

Alabama did exactly what was expected of them, even without Heisman winner Mark Ingram at tailback, putting away San Jose State, 48 to 3. San Jose State's all time record in Silver Ball games is now 0-2, while Alabama moves past Ole Miss into outright seventh on the all time Silver Ball holders list, at 48 games held. Bama's overall record is a dominant 46-19-2. Next week, the Tide host Penn State. They'll be heavily favored but this is no gimme. No Big Ten team has held the Silver Ball since Ohio State carried it into the BCS Championship game in January, 2007, and was roundly thrashed by Florida. Illinois had a shot in the 2008 season opener against Mizzou, but went down 52-42.

Going back to Ole Miss for a second: Ouch. Jacksonville State? Really? I didn't even know they had a football program.

If you'd told me three years ago that I'd be wildly impressed at Michigan beating UConn at home, well... never mind. I'm just hoping they can recover a little from the last couple of seasons. Denard Robinson is definitely the guy, anyway. But that D still needs work.

Cyclones win the division!

2010-08-29T09:58:00.006-04:00

The Brooklyn Cyclones took to the road on Saturday, and pummeled the Connecticut Tigers 10 to 0 to wrap up the McNamara Division. With a 44-21 record, an 11 game lead, and an excellent shot at home field advantage through the playoffs, life is good for Cyclones fans right now. This has been a very special season, a lot like 2001.

But it's not over yet. I'm trying not to think about the championship, but it's been a long wait since that shared title...

A perfect evening

2010-08-27T22:15:00.005-04:00

On an absolutely picture perfect late summer evening, the Cyclones beat the Ironbirds 2 to 0 - a beautifully pitched game on both sides, with the Brooklyn fielding being a shade better than Aberdeen's and making all the difference. The game was over in a very speedy 1 hour 58 minutes. Good friends, close contest, the usual fun and games in the stadium, gorgeous sunset, and a dazzling moonrise as the game ended.

What could be better?

Note: picture represents an earlier perfect evening at a Cyclones game. I did not have my camera this time.

Financial papers

2010-08-27T12:20:00.002-04:00

With the current round of financial leaks from Major League Baseball clubs providing some sorely needed transparency in the sports world, I wonder what insurance the Nationals might have to cover Stephen Strasburg's elbow surgery. I hope for the sake of the organization that it covers a lot more than just the medical costs - ticket sales next year may well be catastrophic. Unless they rush Bryce Harper into the starting lineup for opening day...

The greatest keeps going

2010-08-22T12:32:00.005-04:00

The Dodgers have announced that Vin Scully, contrary to reports from early this year, will return in 2011, calling all home games, and road games against the National League West.

This is wonderful news. However great or mediocre the team might be, listening to Vin Scully call a game is the definitive Dodger baseball experience.

Just as important: by remaining part of the organization in their various ways, Vin Scully, Tommy Lasorda, and Sandy Koufax still form a real link to the Dodgers in Brooklyn, 53 years later. That means a hell of a lot to some of us.

A nearly fallen hero

2010-08-20T19:02:00.002-04:00

Life magazine's superb photo archive has unveiled a previously unseen set of color photographs of Babe Ruth's last appearance at Yankee Stadium. The sight of the mighty Sultan of Swat, not long for this world and looking so frail, is something of a shock to the system, especially for those of us who have lost loved ones to cancer. But the pictures are beautiful as well as heartbreaking. Please, take a look.

Clemens to be indicted

2010-08-19T13:42:00.003-04:00

The New York Times reports that Roger Clemens is to be indicted on charges of perjury, relating to his testimony to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform in 2008.

Now, that looks familiar.

Will Barry Bonds' many apologists quit with the "it's all about race" crap?

RIP Bobby Thomson

2010-08-17T15:31:00.004-04:00

The author of the most heartbreaking moment in Brooklyn Dodger history died yesterday, aged 86. I'll never learn to love that moment, but the Staten Island Scot has a special place in my memory.

When I was relatively new to the USA, ten years ago, I saw Bobby Thomson and his partner in history, Ralph Branca, at a trade show. They were attracting folks to a research agency's booth by signing photos of the Shot Heard Round the World, so being a good baseball fan I duly lined up. Someone in front of me was explaining to his colleague that the famous home run had won the World Series at Yankee Stadium. I took a moment to correct both errors.

When I got to the front of the line, as they were signing the picture, I mentioned that although the home run happened some years before I was born, it still broke my heart to think of it. Thomson looked up at me quizzically and said, "With an accent like that, what do you care?"

He had a fair point. But I did care, and I do care. And that home run still breaks my heart.

Safety first

2010-08-17T10:35:00.003-04:00

As dumb as players in hockey, football, and baseball may feel every time helmets get safer and bulkier, the fact is they save lives. The latest research on the matter shows that concussions can cause symptoms previously attributed to other causes. By implication, this means that Lou Gehrig may not have died of Lou Gehrig's Disease.

Fortunately, we have a generation of kids growing up the right way, now, at least as far as safety goes. Next, we need a way to prevent overuse injuries from making these kids play a million games of the same sport every year.

Meanwhile, in Queens

2010-08-12T09:55:00.003-04:00

There's always legal trouble surrounding some franchise or other in New York. The latest? Closer Francisco Rodriguez has been arrested for assaulting his father in law after yesterday's game at Citi Field. [Insert joke about throwing strikes here.]

Presumably he was angry about not being used to save a close game, and watching Hisanori Takahashi and Manny Acosta spectacularly implode instead.

K-Rod, who was signed as a free agent after setting MLB's single season saves record with the Angels, has been a decent closer but never lived up to the hype. Looking back at spectacular single season save totals, it's very rare for anyone to follow up with a similar number. Don't overpay an overworked closer.

Speaking of overpaying, the Mets' starting center fielder was signed on the basis of one outstanding postseason effort with the Astros, and paid as if he could be that player all the time. And while Carlos Beltran has been good, he's not exactly been Duke Snider, either. But this season, bringing him back after injury has been a flat out disaster. In 24 games, he's sporting a .185/.295/.296 line. Anemic doesn't do that justice. Angel Pagan should get the CF job back, now.

It's time to rebuild from within, and save the flashy expense for the next time they look like contending. K-Rod and Beltran should be shipped elsewhere.

Aw, damn

2010-08-11T20:21:00.003-04:00

The Knicks won't be consulting with renowned front office guru and noted feminism activist Isiah Thomas, after all. Florida International, keep enjoying the ride.

That sound you hear? A collective sigh of relief from around 8 million people.

Quote of the season

2010-08-11T18:07:00.001-04:00

When asked how megastar rookie pitcher Stephen Strasburg responds to adversity, Washington's pitching coach Steve McCatty replied:

I haven’t seen him have any adversity.

Good point, Steve.

It's official

2010-08-10T10:59:00.003-04:00

I saw two games at lovely County Stadium, Milwaukee - one of those was my first major league game. But I will never, ever attend a game at Miller Park. Not after they did this.

Conditional love

2010-08-08T10:42:00.004-04:00

The good news for Redskins fans is that Albert Haynesworth, on day ten, finally passed his conditioning test. The bad news is, well, you still have Albert Haynesworth on the team. Good luck with that.

Remember when Uncle Duke was GM and Lava Lava Lenny was on the team? Now that was a Redskins franchise I could get behind.

Stupidity knows no bounds

2010-08-06T14:31:00.002-04:00

Yes, the Knicks will be paying Isiah Thomas as a consultant, even as he continues to coach FIU. Which, to be fair, has not been the kind of abject disaster as his earlier Knicks and CBA train wrecks.

Why, though? Do the Dolans really think they need further consultation on how to suck the life out of a franchise? Is this some kind of grand, public piece of performance art, an ode to the masochism of the idle rich? Does Isiah have dirt on the Knicks organization and this seems to be the best way to pay for his silence? Is this a ploy to force Mike D'Antoni to resign and forgo a massive buyout?

It's like paying an abusive ex lover to hang around the house and offer romance advice. Nothing about this idea makes sense. Nothing at all.

Except one thing: it's the Knicks.

Stat of the day

2010-08-04T15:39:00.003-04:00

About 5 years ago, someone pointed out that the Cleveland Browns had gone through more starting centers in pre season camp than the Pittsburgh Steelers had since the AFL/NFL merger. I think the numbers were 4 and 3, but don't quote me.

In that spirit, today's stat, courtesy Sports Illustrated: since the end of the 2007 season, Brett Favre has more retirements (3) than the Detroit Lions have wins (2).

Seriously.

Notes from New Yankee Stadium

2010-08-03T09:59:00.006-04:00

The moment I say that's my only major league game for the year, what happens? I am given free tickets for another two days later. So, off to the Yankees' glorious monument to excess to see A-Rod take a shot, or rather five shots, at hitting his 600th home run. He went 0 for 5 on the night, however, extending his major league record drought between numbers 599 and 600. For the record, Babe Ruth hit number 600 in the next at-bat after 599.

We did see an American League record, though. The Blue Jays rapped out six doubles in the fifth inning, five of those off Burnett, along with a home run to score 7 runs and take a game winning lead, as jeers cascaded around the stadium. New stadium, same old Yankee fans - arrogant and entitled when winning, outraged and betrayed when losing.

As to the stadium itself, it's an odd duck. Really, it's a bigger, more aggressive version of the previous one, with better traffic movement. It feels like they did the 70s thing again, tearing down most of the old stadium and building the new one over it. Except this time they did it across the street. Now, I do appreciate being able to get around the stadium more easily, and see the game while doing so, but was that worth upwards of a billion dollars and the sacrifice of a beloved public park? Not even close. New Yankee Stadium - the Big Unnecessary.

Notes from Citi Field

2010-08-01T01:36:00.005-04:00

In my first, and likely only, major league game for the year, the Mets won a back and forth game against the D-backs with a sac fly in the ninth, 5 to 4. Highlights:

- Mark Reynolds of Arizona went 0 for 4, all strikeouts, thus gaining the coveted Golden Sombrero.

- The Yankees fan behind me was completely lost by a double switch and could not fathom why a pitcher was suddenly not in the number 9 batting slot.

- Three guys in front of us were loudly heckling players in French, which is unusual this side of the Quebec border, to say the least.

- Managers showed off the wheel play, not to mention every infield and outfield depth variation you can sensibly imagine. Add well executed bunts and a few infield singles, and the level of eighties NL style little ball on display was excellent.

- Citi Field has been improved a lot in Mets specific ways, from the life affirming orange paint job in the exit stairwells to the much needed Mets Hall of Fame.

- Starting pitchers Takahashi and Enfield were very sharp, throwing strikes and making plays with the bat, too. Impressive.

All in all, a very fun game in front of a friendly, enthusiastic crowd on a gorgeous evening for baseball. Vive la la Ligue Nationale!

RIP Billy Loes

2010-07-28T12:07:00.004-04:00

Billy Loes was a throwback during his own career. As one of the legendary Boys of Summer, he enjoyed a very successful stint pitching with the Dodgers of the 1950s, winning pennants and even the hallowed World Series. But at the same time, he recalled the magical spirit of the Daffiness Boys, the earlier Dodgers of Babe Herman and Dazzy Vance, when no play was too weird and no quote too strange. Billy picked the Dodgers' opponents to win the 1952 World Series. He famously lost a ground ball in the sun. But he pitched, and pitched well, and played the game the right way. He will be sorely missed by the Brooklyn Dodger family.

A new Hall of Fame

2010-07-23T11:56:00.004-04:00

Brooklyn baseball needs a new Hall. Thanks to Marty Adler, there is already an excellent Brooklyn Dodger Hall of Fame, and I don't mean to trample on those toes. Brooklyn needs a Hall for those who won 600 games in semipro ball, or gave their lives to the developing game in the 19th century, or built wonderful stadiums now long gone. They may be in the Cooperstown version already, I guess, but my focus is on those whose lifetime of achievement, or perhaps even one truly great moment, risks being forgotten.

I will announce a freshman class of five inductees soon...

Brewers pitching ugly

2010-07-22T19:52:00.003-04:00

Milwaukee's last four games look like this:

at Atl, L, 6-11
at Pit, W, 3-1
at Pit, L, 9-11
at Pit, L, 3-15

Even with that win, and a sterling start from Capuano, that's 38 runs given up in four games. Bad? Yes. But historically bad? Not even close. Let's not forget the Cubs, who gave up 10+ runs three games in a row twice in 1998, and twice again in 1999. The last of those came during this magical stretch from June 29 to July 3:

vs Mil, L, 6-17
vs Mil, W, 5-4
vs Mil, L, 12-19
at Phi, L, 1-14
at Phi, L, 8-21

Yes, the Cubs gave up 75 runs in five games. Granted, this was during the truly steroidal era of the late 90s, but... 75 runs? 75??? That's something Wrigleyville can really be proud of.

In tangentially related news...

2010-07-22T09:19:00.003-04:00

Remember Enron Field? The Astros couldn't get rid of that name fast enough. It turns out that Brooklyn's own ballpark was similarly associated with a shady corporation. Suddenly I'm thankful that it's only the former Keyspan Park.

46 days and counting

2010-07-20T21:20:00.002-04:00

On September 4, Alabama will put the legendary, if completely mythical, Silver Ball up for grabs when it hosts San Jose State. In between now and then, I'll write to their athletic director and see if I can't actually drum up some interest in this trophy. What have I got to lose?

Someone will break the bank on this

2010-07-20T15:53:00.001-04:00

Kentucky wants to open betting on races that already happened. Stripped of names? You really don't think someone will figure this out? My money's on Upset to beat Man O' War...

Farewell, Jennie Finch

2010-07-20T11:31:00.003-04:00

Joe DiMaggio's 56 game hit streak was very, very special. But let's not forget Jennie Finch's 60 game win streak as a pitcher for Arizona in NCAA softball. She was brilliant in college, maybe even better for the USA, winning a gold and a silver medal and any number of world titles, and has been a major star in the professional ranks for Chicago. Alas, Jennie Finch is now retiring to concentrate on family. My fond hope is that she'll come back again for a second pro career in a few years. She's too good not to...

Oosthuizen!

2010-07-18T14:29:00.005-04:00

Congratulations to the first time major winner - yet another in the past few years, when Yang, Ogilvy, McDowell, Glover, Cabrera, Cink, and others have made golf unpredictable once again. Louis Oosthuizen dominated from Friday onwards, and looked less and less beatable as time went on, finally winning by a Tigeresque seven shots. Tiger? Tiger who? This was supposed to be his year, too - the stars aligned perfectly for him in 2010, or so the experts said - with St. Andrews and Pebble Beach on the list of major venues. Jack Nicklaus' nearest rival remains majorless since his epic performance fighting off a serious knee injury at the 2008 U.S. Open. Mortality comes to us all eventually...

And a tip of the cap to Rory McIlroy, who recovered from his nightmarish second round collapse to card excellent scores over the weekend and finish in a tie for third. Kudos!

RIP James Gammon

2010-07-17T22:34:00.003-04:00

You may know him as manager Lou Brown of the fictional 1989 Cleveland Indians in Major League.

You may run like Mays, but you hit like shit.

Perfect, just perfect. I think I'll add this to my Netflix list for a memorial viewing.

Possible British Open headlines

2010-07-17T15:00:00.006-04:00

It is, of course, my unfulfilled life's ambition to write headlines for the New York Post. After last year's epic, but sadly unused idea WATS-ON SECOND, I am pulling for Lee Westwood. Why? WESTWOOD WON. No matter what happens to his fellow Englishman, a MIGHTY CASEY variation will be available. I'm lacking anything for Oosthuizen... JOOST AMAZIN?

Wrong, wrong, wrong

2010-07-16T14:00:00.003-04:00

The Court of Arbitration for Sport has handed back medals to the other members of relay teams tainted by Marion Jones' illegal drug use at the Sydney Olympics, reports the New York Times.

This is so very wrong. When three runners run fairly and the other cheats, you really didn't finish the race. You can't stop running after 3 legs of a 4x100m relay and say "well, we are leading, give us the gold." Despite the technical nature of the way the rules were written at the time, which is the basis of the decision, the court should have shown the flexibility to simply do what is right. And the runners should show the moral fortitude to stop claiming medals they did not properly win. Gloating about the result now isn't making them look good, either.

The 2010 Cyclones

2010-07-16T01:20:00.002-04:00

Just back from my... um... sixth Brooklyn Cyclones game of the season, I think. Beat the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, 7 to 4, the main highlight being two separate rescues of bases loaded, none out jams without conceding a run.

It's been a wild ride so far, with the Cyclones terrifying everyone en route to the lead in the McNamara Division. The relief pitching gives me fits, especially when the starter doesn't have a great day, but the hitting is tremendous fun to watch. Sandoval, Flagg, Vaughan... these guys might have a long future yet in professional baseball.

Oh, yeah, the jersey giveaways this season have been great, too. Plus free food for us miniplan people. First class operation all around. What on earth do I do for the other nine months of the year, anyway?

RIP George Steinbrenner

2010-07-13T10:29:00.006-04:00

I am no fan of the Yankees, no fan of the way the Yankees were smuggled away from CBS at a knockdown price, no fan of refusing to pay rent to the city for a stadium where you draw all the profit, no fan of destroying public parks for even bigger stadia, and certainly no fan of tailing your own players with private detectives in the hope of getting dirt to void a contract. But I will say this about George Steinbrenner: he wanted to win and keep winning. If certain owners of (say) the Marlins and Twins, who found themselves some very good young teams over the years, had taken a similar attitude, we may have seen some dynasties from outside of New York for a change.

RIP Bob Sheppard

2010-07-11T18:30:00.004-04:00

Bob Sheppard is best remembered by this author as the first baseman on the 1927 St. John's Prep midget squad, who squeeze bunted against Johnny Dollard, a pitcher who had lost both feet in a railway accident, and won a game in the tenth inning. Sheppard never forgave himself for this act, finally apologizing in the New York Times in 1980.

It is just and fair that Dollard learned from the experience, too, and went on to great things as a pitcher for the senior team at Brooklyn Prep. Sheppard, later the quarterback for St. John's University, took his own path to immortality, as everyone knows.

In the spirit of an Irish wake, one funny story about Bob Sheppard. I was at a Yankee game in 2000, I believe, when Michael Bolton was set to sing the national anthem, and represent his charity of choice, Child Abuse Awareness Week. Bob Sheppard announced him thus:

Now, to honor Child Abuse...

...

...

Awareness Week, Michael Bolton will sing the national anthem.

I'm interested too, but really?

2010-07-07T13:03:00.002-04:00

Lebron James will be announcing his free agency decision live on ESPN, reports the NY Times. The elevation of a single player above the league is now official.

Seriously, he's a great player and all, but this is ridiculous.

Just a reminder

2010-07-03T15:39:00.002-04:00

Germany 4, Argentina 0

That result again: Germany 4, Argentina 0. To put it another way, Argentina failed to score, whereas Germany scored four goals, thus eliminating Argentina from the World Cup.

Four-f***ing-nil.

Who's nervous now, Maradona? Hmm?

Netherlands 2, Brazil 1

2010-07-02T11:56:00.000-04:00

That. Was. AWESOME.

Ghana leading USA, 1-0

2010-06-26T14:40:00.002-04:00

The score is not the thing. Listen to the noise, and look at the light. Then close your eyes just a little, so the players merge with their four shadows on the pitch. You'll see a host of dragonflies making pretty patterns in the air of a summer evening.

It's beautiful and hypnotic.

59-59 in the fifth set

2010-06-23T22:33:00.004-04:00

I have never seen anything like this. Surely, I never will again. This is magnificent, and I dare say will be remembered longer than the actual winner of the tournament. To that end, I propose that the winner of this match be honored by forfeit victories for his next five contests, taking him all the way to the Wimbledon title he so richly deserves.

Thank you, gentlemen, for not giving up. Never giving up.

And thank you, Wimbledon, for keeping advantage fifth sets.

The tide is turning

2010-06-20T11:53:00.003-04:00

Australia drew with Ghana, the Cyclones won a dramatic opener against the Yankees, and now New Zealand has held mighty Italy to a 1-1 draw. Suddenly I am a happy sports fan again.

June 17, 1994

2010-06-19T12:52:00.005-04:00

This 30 for 30 film series on ESPN really has been special. I'm watching one today that is just brilliant. It tracks the events of June 17, 1994 - a day that saw Arnold Palmer's last ever round in a US Open at Oakmont, the New York Rangers' first victory parade in 54 years, the opening ceremony and first game of the World Cup in Chicago, game 5 of the NBA finals between the Knicks and Rockets at Madison Square Garden, Ken Griffey Jr hitting his 30th home run of the season off David Cone in Kansas City, keeping pace with Babe Ruth, and, trumping everything, OJ Simpson disappearing, leaving an apparent suicide note, and finally being spotted in a white Ford Bronco...