The other day I was surfing around cable when I came across this jewel, 3 Ninjas. I used to watch this movie all of the time when I was a kid. It was one of those movies when you finished you rewinded it as fast as possible to watch it again (did I mention I was a loser).
Anyway, completely forgot about the basketball game where Rocky and Colt take on the schoolyard thugs in a race to 10. I came away especially impressed with Rocky.
Big ups to whoever this kid's agent was. Not only did he squirrel his way out of millions of dollars, but he successfully deprived the entire world of perhaps the next Michael Jordan. I mean this kid is amazing. He's making no look shots seem effortless. He's dishing out some sweet dimes, coupled nicely with his mad handles. The best part is that he has to have at least, at least, a 54" vertical. If the fact that he is 5'4" (?) and touching glass isn't impressive, now he's taking off from the free throw line and skies three people? Come on man, sign him up. Every one would have wanted a piece of this kid: Coke, Nike, Gatorade...everybody. The kid's gonna be famous: he's tossin' out the first pitch of the World Series, hosting Saturday Night Live, playing golf with the Dalai Lama...pick your poison.
Instead, no. We squeeze three sub-par movies out of a kid who would have been an easy NBA lifer and hands down walk-in Hall of Famer.
If only the allure of being a ninja wasn't so incredibly cool.
The action heats up at the 1:50 mark.
Thursday, August 07, 2008
John Donne Was Right
CNBC recently aired a rare documentary providing an interesting glimpse into the rise of what has become known as the super rich, a category of personal wealth in America that has skyrocketed to unbelievable heights. The documentary highlighted several interesting issues and points but one that I found particularly enlightening. In a candid interview with the network Indianapolis native, Tim Durham made several reflective comments. Above all was his loss for advice for the American middle class man and unapologetic lavish lifestyle. The lack of regret came mainly from Mr Durham’s appeal to a higher code, that of the American Dream.
What Mr Durham is really saying is that he feels no remorse for the gobs of green that find their way into his daily bank statements because, by virtue of his own hard work, he was entitled to spend said money anyway way he desired.
In the same way, I can think of several other cases where athletes have been defended for their astronomical salaries by countless talk show radio hosts because, through inheritance of incredible natural ability combined with superhuman motivation and sheer will power, they alone got paid.
I have really no interest in debating Tim Durham’s spending patterns, nor those of the rising “super-rich.” The point is not with the outlandish lifestyles of such wealthy people, but rather the issue is with something a little closer to home: our innate ability to develop tunnel vision and become exceedingly short-sighted (by ‘our’ I mean human beings).
In their book, The Way of the Shepherd, Dr. Kevin Leman and William Pentak detail this point a little more frankly:
The thing about sheep is they have a tendency to focus on the grass that’s right in front of them…It works the same way with people. They tend to put their head down to do their work and don’t look up again until the day is over. What Mr Durham is really saying is that he feels no remorse for the gobs of green that find their way into his daily bank statements because, by virtue of his own hard work, he was entitled to spend said money anyway way he desired.
In the same way, I can think of several other cases where athletes have been defended for their astronomical salaries by countless talk show radio hosts because, through inheritance of incredible natural ability combined with superhuman motivation and sheer will power, they alone got paid.
I have really no interest in debating Tim Durham’s spending patterns, nor those of the rising “super-rich.” The point is not with the outlandish lifestyles of such wealthy people, but rather the issue is with something a little closer to home: our innate ability to develop tunnel vision and become exceedingly short-sighted (by ‘our’ I mean human beings).
In their book, The Way of the Shepherd, Dr. Kevin Leman and William Pentak detail this point a little more frankly:
Without belaboring the issue my point is this: often times we have an acute talent for being able to forget exactly why and how we arrived at the place we are. We misremember that there were a thousand variables completely out of our control that laid a platform for us to be where we are today.
The reason we forget is because life can become mundane, in the sense that we live on a minute-to-minute, daily basis and it is often difficult to put things into perspective on a yearly scale. The other reason is that there are variables that we can control (or sometimes the illusion of control) that oft-times provide us with a false sense of self-determinism, leading us to believe we shape our own lives.
Consider the savvy businessman who builds a successful company. There is no doubt that this man has astute analytic acumen, a diligent awareness of market temperature, strong leadership to build an effective management team, and revered discipline to keep him ahead of the game. He has, if effect, maximized his variables and reaped solid benefits.
But what of the things he could not control? He could not control the market himself. He could not control people’s preferences, their likes and dislikes that inherently built value into the goods or services in which he was selling. For it was the people in the first place who assigned value to said goods and services, it was the market that built the platform. This man simply took advantage of the platform laid out for him.
Granted, in some cases, unique individuals are able to manipulate and control the market in such a way to innovate new platforms. I would say first, that these are rarities in every sense of the word, and second that it would be folly not to consider the complex system of events and decisions that allowed such individuals a springboard into innovation. Indeed, no less than ten major technological, social, and political issues converged to create the internet revolution.
In much the same way, the athlete too is faced with many uncontrollable factors. Sure he is outstanding football player with an unmatched combination of size, speed, and skill. And sure, he not only was born with talent but he was a gym rat. He worked endlessly to hone his amazing natural talents into something otherworldly.
But what if football had not had been the most popular sport in his area. What if football was just a minor sport. What if, like the rest of the world, soccer was by far and away the most popular sport in America and there were no real opportunities for aspiring football players. There were no major sport leagues, no major contracts to pursue. It is the market that makes sports what it is. It is the people as a collective that give value to sports like football, basketball, and baseball. Ask a 6’7” 300 lb guy in Italy how he is doing with success in life, when guys that are 5’10” 145 lbs are cleaning house with revered (and lucrative) soccer clubs. Better yet, go ask either one of those guys in Kenya how they are doing at all.
The problem is not with the posh life of the rich, it is the attitude with which some of them seem live it. Theirs is a sense of defensible entitlement that follows a false assumption that they alone created themselves.
My point is not that money or a high standard of living defines a successful life in America or anywhere. Not at all. The point is that all of us, wherever we are, and however we are doing are a product not only of our free will but also of history.
A myriad of complex things connect to comprise our current situations and it is recklessness to believe we alone define ourselves. Be unapologetic of free will, but do not be confused for a second that whatever you are is the distinct product of some form of community. Be unapologetic of your history, but do not make the mistake that you single-handedly wrote that history.
Friday, March 24, 2006
Tainted Love
My heart sank to the pit of my stomach as I watched J.J. Redick leave the court for the last time as a Duke Blue Devil. Not because he had turned in a lackluster performance his last game, or because he could not deliver for his team yet again in the sweet sixteen, but because this was the passing of a truly great player in college basketball history.
My stomach churned as columnist after columnist lined up to take pot shots at the senior guard. Apparently, “J.J. Rejection’s” career was permanently tainted because of his countless “under achievements” in the sweet sixteen and beyond. Evidently, J.J. will never be remembered as great because he did not perform in the tournament, and greatness is defined by the NCAA tournament, nothing else. It seems that Redick was finally “exposed” and will now amount to nothing more than a footnote in the annals of college basketball history. Just another Trajan Langdon. The penance for the sins of a pure shooter.
But perhaps we should take a minute, take a breath, and put down our pen before we start writing this chapter of basketball history, and keep a little perspective. Maybe we should all take a step back and remember that this sport was not berthed in 1980, and there is more to it than just the last 25 years. Maybe, just maybe, we should not succumb to the over-hyped whirlwind society that our media has allowed us to become. Maybe we shouldn’t let the LSU game or the NCAA tournament determine the fate of Jonathan Clay Redick.
When asked who the greatest college basketball player of all time would be, most college historians would most likely reply with one of three names:
1. Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul-Jabaar)
2. Bill Walton
3. Pete Maravich
While Alcindor and Walton played for UCLA’s powerhouse teams of the sixties and seventies, Maravich played under his father Press at LSU.
Known for his mop of brown hair and floppy gray socks, Maravich scored more points in college than any other player in history. In only three years playing for LSU, Maravich scored 3,667 points — 1,138 points in 1968, 1,148 points in 1969 and 1,381 points in 1970 while averaging 43.8, 44.2 and 44.5 points per game, respectively. In the process, "Pistol Pete" set 11 NCAA and 34 Southeastern Conference records, as well as every LSU record in points scored, scoring average, field goals attempted and made, and free throws attempted and made. In his collegiate career, the 6'5" guard averaged an incredible 44.2 ppg in 83 contests and led the NCAA in scoring three times. He also set an NCAA record by scoring more than 50 points 28 times. He was named a three-time All-American and still holds many of these records, more than 35 years later. Notably, his 3,667 points don't factor in the 741 he scored his freshman year, or the fact that they played without a three-point line in Maravich's era.
While Maravich was a consensus All-American three consecutive years, the player of the year (which he shared), and his career scoring average was (and still is) ten points higher than anyone ever, Maravich never played in the NCAA tournament. His Tigers were a mere 49-35 throughout his career. Pistol Pete’s squad never finished in the AP Top 20, and never won the SEC. Under Maravich, LSU once made the NIT, only to lose to Marquette in the semifinals (comparable, by games, to the sweet sixteen), and Army in the third place game.
Meanwhile, J.J. Redick played in the Final Four once and Sweet Sixteen three times. He advanced to the conference championship game all four years (winning three). He was named ACC tournament MVP, and ACC player of the year honors two consecutive years. Redick left Duke as the all-time leading scorer in ACC history, a conference littered with the players that could fill a who’s who book of college, and professional, basketball. He was a consensus All-American two consecutive years and will likely share player of the year honors with Adam Morrison. The 6'4" guard sits atop the NCAA as the leader of 3 point shots made, and maintains the all-time career mark in the NCAA for free throw percentage (91.2). These are the marks of one of the greatest players in Duke, ACC, and yes, NCAA history.
Do not be fooled, this is not a comparison of J.J. Redick to the Pistol. It’s not a manipulation of statistics to somehow validate Redick as the greatest player ever. It is a simple point that what Redick did for college basketball was undeniably great, and numbers do not lie. He left a lasting impression on his school, his conference, and the nation with his determination to improve, his fearlessness, and incredible electricity he brought to the court. He might not go on to a stellar NBA career (much like Pete's stint in the NBA was somewhat forgettable), but that is most definitely not the point.
J.J. Redick is a once in a generation player who provided college basketball with an exciting four years that is rarely ever seen. His uncanny streak shooting, infinite range, and remarkably consistent touch is (and will become) legendary.
He is a player who left the game Saturday night, and my heart sank. He will never grace the hardwood of a collegiate game again. His career was not tainted, he did not underachieve, and he certainly was not lackluster. J.J. was a great ambassador of college basketball.
And he deserves better from all of us.
My stomach churned as columnist after columnist lined up to take pot shots at the senior guard. Apparently, “J.J. Rejection’s” career was permanently tainted because of his countless “under achievements” in the sweet sixteen and beyond. Evidently, J.J. will never be remembered as great because he did not perform in the tournament, and greatness is defined by the NCAA tournament, nothing else. It seems that Redick was finally “exposed” and will now amount to nothing more than a footnote in the annals of college basketball history. Just another Trajan Langdon. The penance for the sins of a pure shooter.
But perhaps we should take a minute, take a breath, and put down our pen before we start writing this chapter of basketball history, and keep a little perspective. Maybe we should all take a step back and remember that this sport was not berthed in 1980, and there is more to it than just the last 25 years. Maybe, just maybe, we should not succumb to the over-hyped whirlwind society that our media has allowed us to become. Maybe we shouldn’t let the LSU game or the NCAA tournament determine the fate of Jonathan Clay Redick.
When asked who the greatest college basketball player of all time would be, most college historians would most likely reply with one of three names:
1. Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul-Jabaar)
2. Bill Walton
3. Pete Maravich
While Alcindor and Walton played for UCLA’s powerhouse teams of the sixties and seventies, Maravich played under his father Press at LSU.
Known for his mop of brown hair and floppy gray socks, Maravich scored more points in college than any other player in history. In only three years playing for LSU, Maravich scored 3,667 points — 1,138 points in 1968, 1,148 points in 1969 and 1,381 points in 1970 while averaging 43.8, 44.2 and 44.5 points per game, respectively. In the process, "Pistol Pete" set 11 NCAA and 34 Southeastern Conference records, as well as every LSU record in points scored, scoring average, field goals attempted and made, and free throws attempted and made. In his collegiate career, the 6'5" guard averaged an incredible 44.2 ppg in 83 contests and led the NCAA in scoring three times. He also set an NCAA record by scoring more than 50 points 28 times. He was named a three-time All-American and still holds many of these records, more than 35 years later. Notably, his 3,667 points don't factor in the 741 he scored his freshman year, or the fact that they played without a three-point line in Maravich's era.
While Maravich was a consensus All-American three consecutive years, the player of the year (which he shared), and his career scoring average was (and still is) ten points higher than anyone ever, Maravich never played in the NCAA tournament. His Tigers were a mere 49-35 throughout his career. Pistol Pete’s squad never finished in the AP Top 20, and never won the SEC. Under Maravich, LSU once made the NIT, only to lose to Marquette in the semifinals (comparable, by games, to the sweet sixteen), and Army in the third place game.
Meanwhile, J.J. Redick played in the Final Four once and Sweet Sixteen three times. He advanced to the conference championship game all four years (winning three). He was named ACC tournament MVP, and ACC player of the year honors two consecutive years. Redick left Duke as the all-time leading scorer in ACC history, a conference littered with the players that could fill a who’s who book of college, and professional, basketball. He was a consensus All-American two consecutive years and will likely share player of the year honors with Adam Morrison. The 6'4" guard sits atop the NCAA as the leader of 3 point shots made, and maintains the all-time career mark in the NCAA for free throw percentage (91.2). These are the marks of one of the greatest players in Duke, ACC, and yes, NCAA history.
Do not be fooled, this is not a comparison of J.J. Redick to the Pistol. It’s not a manipulation of statistics to somehow validate Redick as the greatest player ever. It is a simple point that what Redick did for college basketball was undeniably great, and numbers do not lie. He left a lasting impression on his school, his conference, and the nation with his determination to improve, his fearlessness, and incredible electricity he brought to the court. He might not go on to a stellar NBA career (much like Pete's stint in the NBA was somewhat forgettable), but that is most definitely not the point.
J.J. Redick is a once in a generation player who provided college basketball with an exciting four years that is rarely ever seen. His uncanny streak shooting, infinite range, and remarkably consistent touch is (and will become) legendary.
He is a player who left the game Saturday night, and my heart sank. He will never grace the hardwood of a collegiate game again. His career was not tainted, he did not underachieve, and he certainly was not lackluster. J.J. was a great ambassador of college basketball.
And he deserves better from all of us.
Duke Falls Victim to History, LSU
Watching LSU triumph over the top-seeded Duke Blue Devils last night incorrigibly reminded me that “those who do not learn from the past are destined to relive it.”
In 2002, the Blue Devils encountered a hungry, athletic, and dangerous team led by a tall, lanky forward who would simply have the game of his life. All night Duke was smothered by an unabashed, suffocating defense. This team forced the kids from Durham into one of their worst performances of the season. And as timed ticked down, Duke was let down by their superstar, the consensus All-American, and player of the year. The setting was Lexington, Kentucky. The team: Indiana. The all-star: Jason Williams.
Not learning from their previous failures, the ill-fated Devils were forced to relive that tragic night, when some of the university’s greatest players were unceremoniously usurped from college basketball, unremorsefully cast aside. Last night, Duke was caught in the perfect storm. They faced a team that was hungrier, more athletic, and overall primed for exploiting the potential weaknesses in the Blue Devils’ game. This time it was Tyrus Thomas (not Jared Jeffries) that played the role of the unconscious athlete who punched in his career game. And J.J. Redick assumed the role of the college superstar rendered nearly ineffective from brazen defensive game-planning and execution.
Just as in 2002, the top-seeded Blue Devils were eliminated from the sweet sixteen falling embarrassingly short of the national championship game, its players looking like shells of their former selves. But make no mistake, this was not the undoing of J.J. Redick, it was the seemingly mechanical dissection of the entire Duke squad. Stifled by LSU’s apparent triangle and two defense, Redick continually created open shots for his fellow teammates who proverbially “dropped the ball” time after time. This was a team that shot an unheard of 29% average from the field and scored a season low 54 points.
All credit in the world goes to John Brady and his team, much like Mike Davis and his Hoosiers. Each prepared a brilliant game plan and executed flawlessly. Neither LSU nor Indiana played the role of the meek David, compared to Duke’s Goliath. Rather, like Buster Douglas, each team showed that on the right night, with the right desire, and a serious right punch, an ostensibly overmatched opponent can rise up and pickapart the champ.
History doesn’t always repeat itself. Sometimes it just screams, “Why don’t you listen to me?” Hopefully Duke will this time.
In 2002, the Blue Devils encountered a hungry, athletic, and dangerous team led by a tall, lanky forward who would simply have the game of his life. All night Duke was smothered by an unabashed, suffocating defense. This team forced the kids from Durham into one of their worst performances of the season. And as timed ticked down, Duke was let down by their superstar, the consensus All-American, and player of the year. The setting was Lexington, Kentucky. The team: Indiana. The all-star: Jason Williams.
Not learning from their previous failures, the ill-fated Devils were forced to relive that tragic night, when some of the university’s greatest players were unceremoniously usurped from college basketball, unremorsefully cast aside. Last night, Duke was caught in the perfect storm. They faced a team that was hungrier, more athletic, and overall primed for exploiting the potential weaknesses in the Blue Devils’ game. This time it was Tyrus Thomas (not Jared Jeffries) that played the role of the unconscious athlete who punched in his career game. And J.J. Redick assumed the role of the college superstar rendered nearly ineffective from brazen defensive game-planning and execution.
Just as in 2002, the top-seeded Blue Devils were eliminated from the sweet sixteen falling embarrassingly short of the national championship game, its players looking like shells of their former selves. But make no mistake, this was not the undoing of J.J. Redick, it was the seemingly mechanical dissection of the entire Duke squad. Stifled by LSU’s apparent triangle and two defense, Redick continually created open shots for his fellow teammates who proverbially “dropped the ball” time after time. This was a team that shot an unheard of 29% average from the field and scored a season low 54 points.
All credit in the world goes to John Brady and his team, much like Mike Davis and his Hoosiers. Each prepared a brilliant game plan and executed flawlessly. Neither LSU nor Indiana played the role of the meek David, compared to Duke’s Goliath. Rather, like Buster Douglas, each team showed that on the right night, with the right desire, and a serious right punch, an ostensibly overmatched opponent can rise up and pickapart the champ.
History doesn’t always repeat itself. Sometimes it just screams, “Why don’t you listen to me?” Hopefully Duke will this time.
Monday, November 15, 2004
Locked Out or Knocked Out: The Future of the National Hockey League
On Wednesday September 15, 2004 the National Hockey League owners declared a lockout on its players, due to differences on a new collective bargaining agreement. The differences occurred after the league wanted to implement a salary cap.
Day fifteen of the lockout is approaching. Players are leaving the league and games for the 2005 season are being cancelled. The 2002 National Hockey League MVP, Peter Forsberg, along with other players, has already left the league and signed contracts with other international teams. Owners and players do not seem to be reaching an agreement soon, and fans are becoming impatient. Owners hope to quell some of the fans’ aggravation. However, they are not willing to negotiate with the player’s union to end the lockout. While the lockout continues, the hockey fan must find somewhere else to take their entertainment dollar.
“Our fans have told us they cannot continue bearing the brunt of rising costs and to stop raising ticket prices,” said James R. Lites, President of the Dallas Stars.
Lites acknowledged that the need for a strong fan base was one of the most important things to hockey, but right now a better economic system is more important. The NHL has 30 different teams that each need to be “healthy and competitive” in their current market, said Lites. Lites, along with the other owners have sent personal press releases to all the fans encouraging them to be patient with hockey, and ensuring them that their patience will go rewarded. “It is important to [employ an economic system] that makes business sense for the ownership and financial sense for the fans.”
Recent independent studies by former United States Securities and Exchange Commision Chair Arthur Levitt documented losses of $230 million in the 2002-2003 NHL season.
“If someone came to us and said they will extend the current CBA for another five years, we'd turn around and sell the team. We can't continue to do this. This is ridiculous,” said Los Angeles Kings president, Tim Leiweke, in an interview with NHL.com.
Leiweke expressed a drastic need for a new economic system in the NHL, but also continued fan support.
The fan base for the NHL is crucial right now. The league needs to keep fans assuaged and informed.
Between 70 and 85 percent of fans say that they support the owners argument in the lockout. However, not all the fans say they will be so quick to side with hockey after the lockout ends.
“I used to go to bat for hockey when other people would put it down,” says Sam Jones, an avid NHL fan since his youth, “but now, this whole thing has really tainted my view of hockey.” Jones’ eyes have also been opened to the numerous hockey leagues around the world. “I used to think that the best hockey in the world was played in the NHL, but now I realize that not only are there other hockey leagues out there, but some of their players are better than the NHL players.” This revelation occurred when Peter Forsberg announced that he signed a one-year contract with his old club, Modo, from Sweden. Right now, Jones does not know what to think about hockey, but he virulently suggests that he will not so avidly defend it in the future.
Hockey’s future is as ambiguous as it ever has been. Between keeping fans’ loyalty and settling for a profitable economic system, days in the National Hockey League are grim.
Owners aren’t moving, the union isn’t budging, and fans are stuck in the middle. Hockey is looking at a major marketing task during and after the lockout. With its already waning popularity, the lockout could have come at a better time. For now, the fans’ must take their entertainment dollar somewhere else, but owners must insure that they do not stay there. In the all mighty quest to make a dollar, everyone might end up losing. Certainly hockey’s future stands on the edge of a knife.
"To hear anyone, players or Union, saying that we don't have a problem here, they are blindfolded and they're going to kill the sport. We have a major problem” said Leiweke. The NHL has two options. “We either fix it or we’re out.”
Day fifteen of the lockout is approaching. Players are leaving the league and games for the 2005 season are being cancelled. The 2002 National Hockey League MVP, Peter Forsberg, along with other players, has already left the league and signed contracts with other international teams. Owners and players do not seem to be reaching an agreement soon, and fans are becoming impatient. Owners hope to quell some of the fans’ aggravation. However, they are not willing to negotiate with the player’s union to end the lockout. While the lockout continues, the hockey fan must find somewhere else to take their entertainment dollar.
“Our fans have told us they cannot continue bearing the brunt of rising costs and to stop raising ticket prices,” said James R. Lites, President of the Dallas Stars.
Lites acknowledged that the need for a strong fan base was one of the most important things to hockey, but right now a better economic system is more important. The NHL has 30 different teams that each need to be “healthy and competitive” in their current market, said Lites. Lites, along with the other owners have sent personal press releases to all the fans encouraging them to be patient with hockey, and ensuring them that their patience will go rewarded. “It is important to [employ an economic system] that makes business sense for the ownership and financial sense for the fans.”
Recent independent studies by former United States Securities and Exchange Commision Chair Arthur Levitt documented losses of $230 million in the 2002-2003 NHL season.
“If someone came to us and said they will extend the current CBA for another five years, we'd turn around and sell the team. We can't continue to do this. This is ridiculous,” said Los Angeles Kings president, Tim Leiweke, in an interview with NHL.com.
Leiweke expressed a drastic need for a new economic system in the NHL, but also continued fan support.
The fan base for the NHL is crucial right now. The league needs to keep fans assuaged and informed.
Between 70 and 85 percent of fans say that they support the owners argument in the lockout. However, not all the fans say they will be so quick to side with hockey after the lockout ends.
“I used to go to bat for hockey when other people would put it down,” says Sam Jones, an avid NHL fan since his youth, “but now, this whole thing has really tainted my view of hockey.” Jones’ eyes have also been opened to the numerous hockey leagues around the world. “I used to think that the best hockey in the world was played in the NHL, but now I realize that not only are there other hockey leagues out there, but some of their players are better than the NHL players.” This revelation occurred when Peter Forsberg announced that he signed a one-year contract with his old club, Modo, from Sweden. Right now, Jones does not know what to think about hockey, but he virulently suggests that he will not so avidly defend it in the future.
Hockey’s future is as ambiguous as it ever has been. Between keeping fans’ loyalty and settling for a profitable economic system, days in the National Hockey League are grim.
Owners aren’t moving, the union isn’t budging, and fans are stuck in the middle. Hockey is looking at a major marketing task during and after the lockout. With its already waning popularity, the lockout could have come at a better time. For now, the fans’ must take their entertainment dollar somewhere else, but owners must insure that they do not stay there. In the all mighty quest to make a dollar, everyone might end up losing. Certainly hockey’s future stands on the edge of a knife.
"To hear anyone, players or Union, saying that we don't have a problem here, they are blindfolded and they're going to kill the sport. We have a major problem” said Leiweke. The NHL has two options. “We either fix it or we’re out.”
Wednesday, September 29, 2004
Expos Taking a Trip to Washington
An announcement will be made Wednesday stating that the Montreal Expos baseball club will be moving to Washington, D.C., according to an AP article on ESPN.com.
The nation's capital has been long waiting for the return of the national pastime, having lost the Washington Senators in 1971 to what is now the Texas Ranger ball club.
Additionally, Major League Baseball has been looking for a new home for the Expos for the past two years. In 2002, the financially troubled club was bought by the other 29 major league owners.
Washington outbid Las Vegas; Norfolk, Va.; Monterrey, Mexico; Portland, Ore.; and Northern Virginia. The bid includes a $440 million package that includes a new ballpark to be built for the team, along with $13 million renovations to RFK stadium, where the club would play for three years while the park is built.
Montreal's last game is scheduled for Wednesday against Florida. Attendance at Monday's series opener was a blistering 3,923.
The nation's capital has been long waiting for the return of the national pastime, having lost the Washington Senators in 1971 to what is now the Texas Ranger ball club.
Additionally, Major League Baseball has been looking for a new home for the Expos for the past two years. In 2002, the financially troubled club was bought by the other 29 major league owners.
Washington outbid Las Vegas; Norfolk, Va.; Monterrey, Mexico; Portland, Ore.; and Northern Virginia. The bid includes a $440 million package that includes a new ballpark to be built for the team, along with $13 million renovations to RFK stadium, where the club would play for three years while the park is built.
Montreal's last game is scheduled for Wednesday against Florida. Attendance at Monday's series opener was a blistering 3,923.
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
So Much for Number One: Winslow Out for Year
Cleveland Browns' rookie tight end, Kellen Winslow II, will need a second surgery on his broken fibula Wednesday, according to an AP article on ESPN.com. The surgery will knock Winslow out for the rest of the season, instead of the eight to ten weeks that doctors had originally speculated.
Winslow was the first-round overall draft pick by the Browns in the 2004 National Football League draft. He was expected to bring more stability to the offense, along with giving newly acquired quarterback, Jeff Garcia, more weapons.
However, as it stands, Winslow is at risk of losing a lot more than playing time. As a clause in his six-year, $40 million contract he signed in August, he must play in 35 percent of the Cleveland Browns plays this year to acquire a $5.3 million one-time signing bonus.
Winslow is undergoing a second surgery in order to stabilize tendons and ligaments in his right leg. He is expected to make a full recovery and return in uniform for the 2005-2006 football season.
Winslow was the first-round overall draft pick by the Browns in the 2004 National Football League draft. He was expected to bring more stability to the offense, along with giving newly acquired quarterback, Jeff Garcia, more weapons.
However, as it stands, Winslow is at risk of losing a lot more than playing time. As a clause in his six-year, $40 million contract he signed in August, he must play in 35 percent of the Cleveland Browns plays this year to acquire a $5.3 million one-time signing bonus.
Winslow is undergoing a second surgery in order to stabilize tendons and ligaments in his right leg. He is expected to make a full recovery and return in uniform for the 2005-2006 football season.
Monday, September 27, 2004
Syracuse Player Stabbed in Fight
Syracuse cornerback, Tanard Jackson, was stabbed in the chest Sunday during a fight outside of the campus student center, according to an AP article on SI.com.
Jackson, a sophomore from Germantown, Md., was leaving a dance sponsored by a campus fraternity. At the dance some of the football players stepped in to end a confrontation between two different groups.
Police said that Jackson and teammate, Reggie McCoy, were in a parking lot outside the student center when a fight broke out involving about fifteen people. Jackson was attacked as he walked to his car with his friends.
Jackson was released from the hospital Monday and will reportedly make a "speedy recovery." He is not expected to play this weekend in Syracuse's conference opener against Rutgers on Saturday.
Jackson, a sophomore from Germantown, Md., was leaving a dance sponsored by a campus fraternity. At the dance some of the football players stepped in to end a confrontation between two different groups.
Police said that Jackson and teammate, Reggie McCoy, were in a parking lot outside the student center when a fight broke out involving about fifteen people. Jackson was attacked as he walked to his car with his friends.
Jackson was released from the hospital Monday and will reportedly make a "speedy recovery." He is not expected to play this weekend in Syracuse's conference opener against Rutgers on Saturday.
Friday, September 24, 2004
No Third-Coming for Jordan
Michael Jordan announced at a press conference on Friday that, despite recent rumors, he will not make a comeback to the National Basketball Association, according to an article on ESPN.com.
The comeback, if it did materialize, would mark the third time Jordan has come out of retirement.
The rumor mill began to churn when Jordan entered at Hoops Gym in Chicago earlier in September looking for a pickup game. Jordan wants to make sure everyone knows that was all it was--a pickup game. He was also just coming off a basketball camp where he played some of the top young talent in the country.
Word has also travelled around the league that he has contacted Miami center, Shaquille O'Neal about playing for the Heat.
In Friday's press conference Jordan commented that he thought the rumors were amusing, but wanted to make sure they carried no validity.
ESPN Insider Chad Ford stated that, "I don't think you'll see Michael playing in the NBA again." I'm sure Jordan fans (and basketball fans) are hoping the same thing.
The comeback, if it did materialize, would mark the third time Jordan has come out of retirement.
The rumor mill began to churn when Jordan entered at Hoops Gym in Chicago earlier in September looking for a pickup game. Jordan wants to make sure everyone knows that was all it was--a pickup game. He was also just coming off a basketball camp where he played some of the top young talent in the country.
Word has also travelled around the league that he has contacted Miami center, Shaquille O'Neal about playing for the Heat.
In Friday's press conference Jordan commented that he thought the rumors were amusing, but wanted to make sure they carried no validity.
ESPN Insider Chad Ford stated that, "I don't think you'll see Michael playing in the NBA again." I'm sure Jordan fans (and basketball fans) are hoping the same thing.
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