Welcome to this year's edition of the Owljock Bowl Board.
There are 40 scheduled NCAA-sanctioned this season, with almost as many title sponsors representing everything from financial services to breakfast food.
Clemson, the defending national football champion, will be going for its third title in the last four years. The Tigers will join Louisiana State (ranked #1 this year), THE Ohio State University and Oklahoma in the College Football Playoff. Atlanta and Glendale, AZ will host the semifinals on December 28. The finals will be in New Orleans January 13.
Without further stalling, here's our schedule. They include the name of the bowl, who's in it, where is it, when is it, who televises it (mostly ESPN's Family of Networks), and--most importantly for our purposes--a brief description of what the title sponsor is known for. Here goes . . .
Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl: Buffalo vs. Charlotte (Nassau, Bahamas 12/20) ESPN
An industrial park in Elk Grove Village, IL.
Tropical Smoothie Cafe Frisco Bowl: Utah State vs. Kent State (Frisco, TX 12/20) ESPN2
Restaurant chain. Formerly DXL Bowl.
Celebration Bowl: Alcorn State vs. North Carolina A&T (Atlanta, GA 12/21) ABC
New Mexico Bowl: Central Michigan vs. San Diego State (Albuquerque, NM 12/21) ESPN
FBC Mortgage Cure Bowl: Liberty vs. Georgia Southern (Orlando, FL 12/21) CBS Sports Network
Mortgage lender.
Cheribundi Boca Raton Bowl: Southern Methodist vs. Florida Atlantic (Boca Raton, FL 12/21) ABC
Energy drink.
Camellia Bowl: Florida International vs. Arkansas State (Montgomery, AL 12/21) ESPN
Mitsubishi Motors Las Vegas Bowl: Boise State vs. Washington (Las Vegas, NV 12/21) ABC
Auto manufacturer.
R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl: Appalachian State vs. Alabama-Birmingham (New Orleans, LA 12/21) ESPN
Shipping firm.
Bad Boy Mowers Gasparilla Bowl: Central Florida vs. Marshall (Tampa, FL 12/23) ESPN
Lawn mowers.
SoFi Hawaii Bowl: Hawaii vs. Brigham Young (Honolulu, HW 12/24) ESPN
Financial services.
Walk-On's Independence Bowl: Louisiana Tech vs. Miami (Shreveport, LA 12/26) ESPN
Sports-themed restaurant chain.
Quick Lane Bowl: Pittsburgh vs. Eastern Michigan (Detroit, MI 12/26) ESPN
Auto care shops.
Military Bowl Presented by Northrop Grumman: North Carolina vs. Temple (Annapolis, MD 12/27) ESPN
Defense contractor.
New Era Pinstripe Bowl: Michigan State vs. Wake Forest (New York, NY 12/27) ESPN
Sports apparel.
Academy Sports + Outdoors Texas Bowl: Oklahoma State vs. Texas A&M (Houston, TX 12/27) ESPN
Sporting goods retail chain.
San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl: USC vs. Iowa (San Diego, CA 12/27) FS1
San Diego-area financial services.
Cheez-It Bowl: Air Force vs. Washington State (Phoenix, AZ 12/27) ESPN
Snack crackers.
Camping World Bowl: Notre Dame vs. Iowa State (Orlando, FL 12/28) ABC
Camping and RV supplies.
Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic: Penn State vs. Memphis (Arlington, TX 12/28) ESPN
Car and truck tires, blimps.
Playstation Fiesta Bowl (CFP Semifinal): Ohio State vs. Clemson (Glendale, AZ 12/28) ESPN
Videogames and consoles.
Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl (CFP Semifinal): LSU vs. Oklahoma (Atlanta, GA 12/28) ESPN
Chicken restaurant chain.
SERVPRO First Responder Bowl: Western Kentucky vs. Western Michigan (Dallas, TX 12/30) ESPN
Disaster cleanup service.
Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl: Mississippi State vs. Louisville (Nashville, TN 12/30) ESPN
Financial services.
Redbox Bowl: California vs. Illinois (Santa Clara, CA 12/30) Fox
Movies and game rentals.
Capital One Orange Bowl: Florida vs. Virginia (Miami Gardens, FL 12/30) ESPN
Financial services.
Belk Bowl: Virginia Tech vs. Kentucky (Charlotte, NC 12/31) ESPN
Regional department store chain.
Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl: Florida State vs. Arizona State (El Paso, TX 12/31) CBS
Kellogg's Frosted Flakes mascot.
Auto Zone Liberty Bowl: Navy vs. Kansas State (Memphis, TN 12/31) ESPN
Auto parts and supplies.
NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl: Wyoming vs. Georgia State (Tuscon, AZ 12/31) CBS Sports Network
Mortgage lender.
Valero Alamo Bowl: Utah vs. Texas (San Antonio, TX 12/31) ESPN
Energy company.
Vrbo Citrus Bowl: Michigan vs. Alabama (Orlando, FL 1/1/20) ABC
Vacation rental and travel website.
Outback Bowl: Minnesota vs. Auburn (Tampa, FL 1/1/20) ESPN
Steak and seafood restaurant chain.
Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual: Oregon vs. Wisconsin (Pasadena, CA 1/1/20) ESPN
Financial services.
Allstate Sugar Bowl: Georgia vs. Baylor (New Orleans, LA 1/1/20) ESPN
Insurance and financial services.
TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl: Boston College vs. Cincinnati (Birmingham, AL 1/2) ESPN
Online ticket exchange.
TaxSlayer Gator Bowl: Indiana vs. Tennessee (Jacksonville, FL 1/2) ESPN
Online tax preparation.
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Ohio vs. Nevada (Boise, ID 1/3) ESPN
Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl: Southern Mississippi vs. Tulane (Fort Worth, TX 1/4) ESPN
Defense contractor.
LendingTree Bowl: Louisiana vs. Miami of Ohio (Mobile, AL 1/6) ESPN
Online lending marketplace. Formerly Dollar General Bowl.
College Football Playoff National Championship (New Orleans, LA 1/13) ESPN
Thursday, December 12, 2019
Wednesday, November 13, 2019
Sour Cherry Talks Way Off "Hockey Night".
"Hockey Night in Canada" has been on CBC television since 1952, ruling Saturday nights as the premier showplace for the National Hockey League north of the border. Its most popular segment between periods was "Coach's Corner", where for nearly four decades co-hosts Don Cherry and Ron MacLean pontificated on hockey highlights, what Cherry thought was the "right" way to play the sport, and whatever else was on his mind.
It's that last part that's gotten Cherry, a former NHL player and coach, in trouble with network bosses and many Canadians over the years. While extolling the virtues of his country's hockey players, he's also exuded contempt for those who hailed from Quebec, Europe and the United States. He's advocated violence on the ice at a time when the NHL is trying to cut back on fighting and concussions. Cherry's maple-leaf-on-his-sleeve approach served him well when saluting Canada's armed forces, sick kids who happen to be hockey players, and other topics that make him sound like a Republican politician from the States.
What finally got Cherry fired was his comment during a November 9 "Coach's Corner" broadcast about Canadian immigrants who couldn't be bothered to buy poppies as a tribute to dead soldiers on Remembrance Day (known as Veterans Day in the U.S.), then wondered why they couldn't appreciate how good they had it in Canada.
Rogers Sportsnet, which owns the Canadian TV rights to NHL hockey (but still shows "Hockey Night" on CBC), chose Remembrance Day to show Cherry the door. They, along with MacLean and "Coach's Corner" sponsor Budweiser have apologized. But Cherry has not.
Don Cherry, until recently, has been a beloved figure in Canada with the loud wardrobes he usually wore on TV and in public. But he's also 85 and has to realize that the world--and Canada-- has changed on and off the ice. It's hard to know what he'll do with the rest of his life at this point, but maybe it'll be something other than yelling at ice clouds.
It's that last part that's gotten Cherry, a former NHL player and coach, in trouble with network bosses and many Canadians over the years. While extolling the virtues of his country's hockey players, he's also exuded contempt for those who hailed from Quebec, Europe and the United States. He's advocated violence on the ice at a time when the NHL is trying to cut back on fighting and concussions. Cherry's maple-leaf-on-his-sleeve approach served him well when saluting Canada's armed forces, sick kids who happen to be hockey players, and other topics that make him sound like a Republican politician from the States.
What finally got Cherry fired was his comment during a November 9 "Coach's Corner" broadcast about Canadian immigrants who couldn't be bothered to buy poppies as a tribute to dead soldiers on Remembrance Day (known as Veterans Day in the U.S.), then wondered why they couldn't appreciate how good they had it in Canada.
Rogers Sportsnet, which owns the Canadian TV rights to NHL hockey (but still shows "Hockey Night" on CBC), chose Remembrance Day to show Cherry the door. They, along with MacLean and "Coach's Corner" sponsor Budweiser have apologized. But Cherry has not.
Don Cherry, until recently, has been a beloved figure in Canada with the loud wardrobes he usually wore on TV and in public. But he's also 85 and has to realize that the world--and Canada-- has changed on and off the ice. It's hard to know what he'll do with the rest of his life at this point, but maybe it'll be something other than yelling at ice clouds.
Thursday, October 31, 2019
World Series: Champions On The Potomac
The last time a Washington, D.C.-based baseball team won a World Series was in 1924, when Walter Johnson pitched the Senators to the title. Almost a century later, after two different Senators teams left town (one to Minnesota in 1961, another to Texas in 1972), a 33-year gap of no baseball, and the arrival of the Montreal Expos to the nation's Capital in 2005, the Washington Nationals are the new champions of baseball.
The Nationals defeated the Astros 6-2 in Game 7 at Houston, in a series where the road team won every game--something that has never happened in pro sports championships. Howie Kendrick and Anthony Rendon hit home runs in the seventh inning to take the lead and never looked back. Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg were the pitching aces that brought the Nationals back from a 3-2 deficit in games.
This was an eventful series all right, and sometimes for the wrong reasons:
The Nationals defeated the Astros 6-2 in Game 7 at Houston, in a series where the road team won every game--something that has never happened in pro sports championships. Howie Kendrick and Anthony Rendon hit home runs in the seventh inning to take the lead and never looked back. Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg were the pitching aces that brought the Nationals back from a 3-2 deficit in games.
This was an eventful series all right, and sometimes for the wrong reasons:
- The Astros fired their assistant general manager Brandon Taubman for being a little too exuberant in his praise of closer Roberto Osuna toward a group of female reporters following the team winning the American League Championship Series. Osuna, you see, had been suspended by Major League Baseball for 75 games for violating its domestic abuse policy.
- President Donald Trump attended Game 5 at Nationals Park in Washington, only to find that the reception he got when his face was shown on the Jumbotron was anything but the kind he usually gets at his rallies. In fact, he was booed unmercifully. Under normal circumstances, a President should be greeted with respectful applause by friend and foe alike. This President, however, hasn't done much to earn the respect of his constituents outside of his loyal base. As for those who exercised their First Amendment right to make a sound associated at this time of year with ghosts, we're reminded of something Trump's predecessor Barack Obama once said: Don't boo. Vote.
Wednesday, October 23, 2019
The NBA in China: Air Ball
American corporations have kowtowed to them. President Donald Trump started a trade war against them. Now it's the National Basketball Association's turn to deal with the most lucrative and sensitive country on the planet, which happens to be China.
Before we get to that. a little background. Chins has had a Communist dictatorship for the past 70 years, longer than the Soviet Union was in existence. Since 1997, when China acquired the city and region of Hong Kong from Great Britain, they have somehow kept their hands off of the Western-style economy and democracy that made it run for well over a century.
Recently, protesters have been turning Hong Kong into a referendum of sorts over the future of China, opposing plans to permit local law enforcement to arrest those who have been accused of committing crimes in China. The Beijing government considers the demonstrators to be dangerous enough to warrant placing tanks outside town, inviting comparisons to what happened at Tiananmen Square in 1989.
Where the NBA comes in is a tweet from Daryl Morey, general manager of the Houston Rockets, in support of the protesters. (Which is more than what the Trump administration was willing to do.) After China voiced its objections, NBA commissioner Adam Silver voiced his support for Morey as an act of free speech. It became apparent he didn't know who he was dealing with.
As it happened, the league sent two of its teams--the Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets--on a goodwill tour of mainland China. It must have been real uncomfortable for players and team officials to step into a situation where they have to answer for their league's international spat with a country they're just visiting. A country where some of these players have business connections (sneakers or otherwise) that force them to toe the line. And how awkward players like Lebron James appear when they try to explain themselves while wearing a businessman's hat.
So where are we now? While there isn't a real rift between the NBA and Beijing at this point, China has blacked out TV broadcasts of games and told Silver to fire Morey--which he can't legally do. But they need each other. The NBA can't turn it's back on the marketing opportunities afforded by the huge Chinese market, and the government can't afford to alienate its basketball followers.
In other words, if you want to make nice with a dictatorship started by revolutionaries who disliked capitalism and who now dabbles in it, it's best not to bring up politics.
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Meanwhile back in North America, the NBA season has already begun. Our Top Eight teams that we think will make the playoffs are like this:
Western Conference: Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Portland Trail Blazers, Denver Nuggets, Utah Jazz, San Antonio Spurs.
Eastern Conference: Philadelphia 76ers, Toronto Raptors, Milwaukee Bucks, Brooklyn Nets, Atlanta Hawks, Miami Heat, Boston Celtics, Indiana Pacers.
Wednesday, October 9, 2019
Twins 2019: Still Not Ready for Prime Time
The Minnesota Twins won the American League Central division championship with 101 wins, the most since 1965. They set several home run records in a season where just about half of all Major League Baseball teams set their own long ball records. They also benefited from playing in a division where two of the four other teams (Kansas City Royals and Detroit Tigers) lost at least 100 games. Which is where the Twins were a few years ago.
TV ratings on Fox Sports North (sold during the season from Disney to Sinclair, best known for using local news to spread right wing propaganda) went up 65%. But most of America never got to see this team except for a couple of appearances on ESPN (against either the New York Yankees or Boston Red Sox) and once on You Tube.
Now we know why network executives were reluctant to schedule the Twins, because once again they were swept by the Yankees in the American League Division Series. The Yankees dominated with their own bats (they don't call them the Bronx Bombers for nothing), and had better pitching than the Twins could ever afford. It was Minnesota's 16th consecutive playoff loss, an MLB record, tying them with the NHL Chicago Blackhawks of the 1970s for the pro sports mark. Thirteen of those losses were to the Yankees The Twins have not won a playoff game since 2004.
The Twins will probably get more network TV appearances in 2020, but by then they'll be back in the mediocrity from whence they came as MLB comes up with ways to deaden the ball a little. Another reason why 2019 will always remain one for the record books.
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Our World Series match up: New York Yankees vs. St. Louis Cardinals
TV ratings on Fox Sports North (sold during the season from Disney to Sinclair, best known for using local news to spread right wing propaganda) went up 65%. But most of America never got to see this team except for a couple of appearances on ESPN (against either the New York Yankees or Boston Red Sox) and once on You Tube.
Now we know why network executives were reluctant to schedule the Twins, because once again they were swept by the Yankees in the American League Division Series. The Yankees dominated with their own bats (they don't call them the Bronx Bombers for nothing), and had better pitching than the Twins could ever afford. It was Minnesota's 16th consecutive playoff loss, an MLB record, tying them with the NHL Chicago Blackhawks of the 1970s for the pro sports mark. Thirteen of those losses were to the Yankees The Twins have not won a playoff game since 2004.
The Twins will probably get more network TV appearances in 2020, but by then they'll be back in the mediocrity from whence they came as MLB comes up with ways to deaden the ball a little. Another reason why 2019 will always remain one for the record books.
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Our World Series match up: New York Yankees vs. St. Louis Cardinals
Wednesday, October 2, 2019
Wild 2019-20: On Thin Ice
The Minnesota Wild failed to make the National Hockey League playoffs last spring for the first time since 2012, and general manager Paul Fenton took the fall for it. In one season, he either made bad trades involving popular players such as Nico Niederriter and Charlie Coyle to playoff-bound teams, or none at all. Jason Zucker remains in Minnesota in spite of Fenton's best efforts to trade him.
It took until after the NHL Draft and free agency (for which the Wild were non-factors) for team owner Craig Leipold to realize his mistake and fired Fenton after one season. He was replaced by Bill Guerin, a former player who had been assistant general manager for the Pittsburgh Penguins and general manager for the Penguins' minor league affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, PA.
Guerin inherits a team that has had no real roster changes since Fenton left. Matt Dumba and Mikko Koivu are both back from injuries that kept them from playing much of last season.. Jared Spurgeon (who just signed a seven-year contract extension), Ryan Donato and Mats Zuccarello are ready to contribute. But the goaltending is a question mark with Devan Dubnyk and Alex Stalock trying to do what Minnesota's defense can't.
Coach Bruce Boudreau is in the last year of his contract, and on his third general manager. What he has to do is clear: Get the Wild in the playoffs, and maybe go past the first round. Or else Guerin can start housecleaning. That process might take years. The NHL's Central Division is so tough that they might have a difficult time staying out of mediocrity. Look for a second year of an early spring exit.
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Our Top 8 teams from each conference:
WEST: Vegas Golden Knights, Colorado Avalanche, Calgary Flames, St. Louis Blues, Dallas Stars, Winnipeg Jets, San Jose Sharks, Nashville Predators.
EAST: Washington Capitals, Boston Bruins. Toronto Maple Leafs, Pittsburgh Penguins, Columbus Blue Jackets, New York Islanders, New Jersey Devils, Tampa Bay Lightning.
It took until after the NHL Draft and free agency (for which the Wild were non-factors) for team owner Craig Leipold to realize his mistake and fired Fenton after one season. He was replaced by Bill Guerin, a former player who had been assistant general manager for the Pittsburgh Penguins and general manager for the Penguins' minor league affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, PA.
Guerin inherits a team that has had no real roster changes since Fenton left. Matt Dumba and Mikko Koivu are both back from injuries that kept them from playing much of last season.. Jared Spurgeon (who just signed a seven-year contract extension), Ryan Donato and Mats Zuccarello are ready to contribute. But the goaltending is a question mark with Devan Dubnyk and Alex Stalock trying to do what Minnesota's defense can't.
Coach Bruce Boudreau is in the last year of his contract, and on his third general manager. What he has to do is clear: Get the Wild in the playoffs, and maybe go past the first round. Or else Guerin can start housecleaning. That process might take years. The NHL's Central Division is so tough that they might have a difficult time staying out of mediocrity. Look for a second year of an early spring exit.
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Our Top 8 teams from each conference:
WEST: Vegas Golden Knights, Colorado Avalanche, Calgary Flames, St. Louis Blues, Dallas Stars, Winnipeg Jets, San Jose Sharks, Nashville Predators.
EAST: Washington Capitals, Boston Bruins. Toronto Maple Leafs, Pittsburgh Penguins, Columbus Blue Jackets, New York Islanders, New Jersey Devils, Tampa Bay Lightning.
Wednesday, September 4, 2019
NFL at 100: From Leather Helmets to Plastic
The National Football League is celebrating its 100th anniversary season this year with an opening night game between the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears, who were originally the Acme Packers and Decatur Staleys. Back in that era, the big stars were Bronko Nagurski and Red Grange. They and their teammates wore leather helmets, primitive shoulder pads, and had off-season jobs to supplement their income.
Today the NFL is one of the most successful professional sports enterprises on Earth, playing its games in packed stadiums with millions of TV viewers looking on. The big stars now are quarterbacks Tom Brady, Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers. They wear state-of-the-art helmets, shoulder pads and other body armor, and don't need off-season employment.
Then as now, what goes on out on the field tends to get a little rough. Concussions are a major concern, as more and more players are leaving the game early due to the toll injuries and too many hits on the head are taking. Rob Gronkowski of the New England Patriots and Andrew Luck of the Indianapolis Colts recently retired rather than continue to subject themselves to the abuse they took on the field, not to mention sapping the joy they once had for playing football. Others keep playing and risking injuries not so much for the love of the game, but because they are not as handsomely paid as Gronkowski and Luck were.
Not everyone is on board with the NFL's efforts to make football safer. Antonio Brown of the Oakland Raiders declined to appear at training camp unless he could use a helmet he wore last season, which he thought was more comfortable than the new ones the NFL has mandated for this season. Days before the start of the regular season, Brown finally broke down and chose the league-approved helmet that suited him. The possibility of Antonio Brown leaving football in a helmet dispute has thankfully passed.
There are other safety measures the NFL has taken, such as penalizing heavy hits and making changes to kickoffs. If the NFL wants to avoid becoming the National Flag Football League sometime in the next century, they'll have to make even more changes so (with apologies to Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson) mamas won't have to stop their babies from playing football. It might cause Curley Lambeau and George Halas to spin in their graves, but the game might actually be for the better.
UPDATE (9/7/19): Having successfully whined his way out of two NFL franchises , Antonio Brown is now on his third one in as many months. He'll be playing for Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots. Let's see how long this one lasts.
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Herewith, our picks for who will enter the Super Bowl tournament come January. The big game this time is in Miami, and will be seen on Fox.
NFC
North Green Bay Packers
South New Orleans Saints
East Dallas Cowboys
West Los Angeles Rams
Wild Card Seattle Seahawks and Chicago Bears
AFC
North Pittsburgh Steelers
South Houston Texans
East New England Patriots
West Kansas City Chiefs
Wild Card Cleveland Browns and Los Angeles Chargers
Wednesday, July 10, 2019
Twins 2019: Leaders Under the Radar
To those of us who expected another lost season in a lost decade for the Minnesota Twins, there's something you should know: As of July 10, the Twins are leading the American League Central division by 5 1/2 games over the Cleveland Indians. They have one of the best records in Major League Baseball with 56 wins and 33 losses. Suddenly the team is relevant again.
How did this happen, you ask? First-year manager Rocco Baldelli has put together a lineup that so far has put the Twins on a home run pace not seen since the days of Harmon Killebrew, and a more competent pitching staff than anyone dared hope for.
The Twins' efforts haven't been noticed by the rest of baseball--yet--as the New York Yankees, Houston Astros, Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers all lead their divisions at the All Star break. Only pitcher Jose Berrios and shortstop Jorge Polanco were among the starters at the MLB All Star game in Cleveland, which was won by the American League 4-3.
How long the Twins can keep this up the rest of the season is anyone's guess. Several key players, including Jake Odorizzi, Eddie Rosario, C.J. Cran, Miguel Sano and Byron Buxton are either (A) on the injured list, or (B) flirting with irrelevance and a one way ticket to Rochester, NY.
When it comes to picking up name-brand talent toward the trading deadline, the Twins are usually out of the conversation unless they're the ones selling. This year could be different, but unless team owner Jim Pohlad could be persuaded to open his bank vault, they're more likely to wind up with small-name castoffs for the stretch run.
And then there's Cleveland, the defending division champion that's been getting its act together after a slow start. Remember when we said the C's were trailing by 5 1/2 games? It used to be around ten.
For the Twins to win its first division title since the year Target Field opened,they'll need a lot of things to go right. If not, then it's what we expected all along.
How did this happen, you ask? First-year manager Rocco Baldelli has put together a lineup that so far has put the Twins on a home run pace not seen since the days of Harmon Killebrew, and a more competent pitching staff than anyone dared hope for.
The Twins' efforts haven't been noticed by the rest of baseball--yet--as the New York Yankees, Houston Astros, Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers all lead their divisions at the All Star break. Only pitcher Jose Berrios and shortstop Jorge Polanco were among the starters at the MLB All Star game in Cleveland, which was won by the American League 4-3.
How long the Twins can keep this up the rest of the season is anyone's guess. Several key players, including Jake Odorizzi, Eddie Rosario, C.J. Cran, Miguel Sano and Byron Buxton are either (A) on the injured list, or (B) flirting with irrelevance and a one way ticket to Rochester, NY.
When it comes to picking up name-brand talent toward the trading deadline, the Twins are usually out of the conversation unless they're the ones selling. This year could be different, but unless team owner Jim Pohlad could be persuaded to open his bank vault, they're more likely to wind up with small-name castoffs for the stretch run.
And then there's Cleveland, the defending division champion that's been getting its act together after a slow start. Remember when we said the C's were trailing by 5 1/2 games? It used to be around ten.
For the Twins to win its first division title since the year Target Field opened,they'll need a lot of things to go right. If not, then it's what we expected all along.
Monday, July 8, 2019
USWNT: Groundbreaking Champions
The United States women's soccer team won its fourth World Cup Sunday in France, shutting out the Netherlands 2-0.
Megan Rapinoe, who had scored in nearly every game, made a penalty kick in the 61st minute. Rose Lavelle scored another in the 69th minute to wrap up a championship the Americans were heavily favored to win.
Not only did the American women beat the Dutch, but they also got in Dutch on and off the pitch.
--In their opening match against Thailand, they scored 13 goals against an obviously overmatched opponent. The USA was ripped for celebrating a bit too much. Although they toned it down in subsequent matches, Alex Morgan did pretend to sip tea after scoring against England.
--Rapinoe, the driving force behind this team, got into it with President Donald Trump over being invited to the White House should the U.S. win the World Cup. She wanted nothing to do with it, just like so many athletes of sex and color before her. Rapinoe also wouldn't salute the flag during the "Star Spangled Banner" in the conventional manner, much like Colin Kaepernick.
Well, they're getting their due anyway. A ticker tape parade in New York and a visit to the halls of Congress awaits, courtesy of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a Democrat from New York.
--Earlier, several members of the women's soccer team sued the American governing body for not getting paid as much as the men's team. You will recall that the men's team didn't qualify for the 2018 World Cup, and that they are on shaky ground for 2022.
This might be the most important and lasting victory the U.S. women's soccer team will ever have if the courts (and society) see things their way. Women earn less in all walks of life, including sports. When you win four World Cups in two decades, you deserve something more than the thanks of a grateful nation, right?
Friday, June 14, 2019
Toronto Raptors: Champions From the North
Since 1993, when the Toronto Blue Jays won the World Series and the Montreal Canadiens won the Stanley Cup, no Canadian-based pro sports franchise has won league championships in hockey, baseball and basketball. Until Thursday night.
The Toronto Raptors, who began their existence in 1995, won the NBA championship with a 114-110 victory over the Golden State Warriors in Game 6 of the Finals at Oakland, CA. Pascal Sickam and Kyle Lowry both scored 26 points to wrap it up for the Raptors. Kawhi Leonard, whose one-year sojourn in Canada before moving on to free agency resulted in a title, was named the MVP for the playoffs.
The Warriors were in their fifth consecutive Finals, going for their third straight championship. This was not their best team, though Stephen Curry almost pulled a title out of his hat with his late-game heroics. But "Strength In Numbers", their head-scratching slogan, became a misnomer when two of their stars went down to injuries. Kevin Durant, who was not able to play for most of the playoffs, made an ill-advised comeback in Game 5 at Toronto, suffering an Achilles injury. Klay Thompson tore his ACL in Game 6, which sealed the Warriors' fate. Both are not expected to play next season.
The fact that Leonard, Durant and Thompson are all going to be free agents, and whose fates might determine how much they're worth to whichever team they sign with, can't be overstated.
The Raptors got this far by going through the Eastern Conference playoffs, leaving the Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers and Milwaukee Bucks (in that order) in their wake. The Warriors defeated the Los Angeles Clippers, Houston Rockets and Portland Trail Blazers to represent the Western Conference.
The Raptors' TV ratings went through the roof in Canada, but that didn't help ABC, which couldn't count Toronto into their numbers. Neither did the lack of LeBron James (who played for the Los Angeles Lakers this past season), or the continued presence of the Warriors in the championship series. But it did go six games, so ABC got decent ratings for that.
The normally reserved Canadians, led by unofficial head cheerleader Drake (who has touched more people than presidential candidate Joe Biden these days), have gone nuts over the success of the Raptors. Why, the team might even get a photo-op with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
"We The North" indeed. It's time for the Maple Leafs to step up. They haven't won a Stanley Cup since 1967.
The Toronto Raptors, who began their existence in 1995, won the NBA championship with a 114-110 victory over the Golden State Warriors in Game 6 of the Finals at Oakland, CA. Pascal Sickam and Kyle Lowry both scored 26 points to wrap it up for the Raptors. Kawhi Leonard, whose one-year sojourn in Canada before moving on to free agency resulted in a title, was named the MVP for the playoffs.
The Warriors were in their fifth consecutive Finals, going for their third straight championship. This was not their best team, though Stephen Curry almost pulled a title out of his hat with his late-game heroics. But "Strength In Numbers", their head-scratching slogan, became a misnomer when two of their stars went down to injuries. Kevin Durant, who was not able to play for most of the playoffs, made an ill-advised comeback in Game 5 at Toronto, suffering an Achilles injury. Klay Thompson tore his ACL in Game 6, which sealed the Warriors' fate. Both are not expected to play next season.
The fact that Leonard, Durant and Thompson are all going to be free agents, and whose fates might determine how much they're worth to whichever team they sign with, can't be overstated.
The Raptors got this far by going through the Eastern Conference playoffs, leaving the Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers and Milwaukee Bucks (in that order) in their wake. The Warriors defeated the Los Angeles Clippers, Houston Rockets and Portland Trail Blazers to represent the Western Conference.
The Raptors' TV ratings went through the roof in Canada, but that didn't help ABC, which couldn't count Toronto into their numbers. Neither did the lack of LeBron James (who played for the Los Angeles Lakers this past season), or the continued presence of the Warriors in the championship series. But it did go six games, so ABC got decent ratings for that.
The normally reserved Canadians, led by unofficial head cheerleader Drake (who has touched more people than presidential candidate Joe Biden these days), have gone nuts over the success of the Raptors. Why, the team might even get a photo-op with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
"We The North" indeed. It's time for the Maple Leafs to step up. They haven't won a Stanley Cup since 1967.
Wednesday, June 12, 2019
The Stanley Cup Marches Into St. Louis
In St. Louis, where baseball and the Gateway Arch dominate the landscape, hockey fans are no longer singing the blues over their team. Instead, they're singing "Gloria", a 1982 hit record by Laura Branigan that became their victory song.
The Blues defeated the Bruins in Boston 4-1 Wednesday night, winning the Stanley Cup for the first time in their 52-year history. Ryan O'Reilly and Alex Pietrangelo scored goals in the first period of Game 7, followed in the third by Brayden Schenn and Zach Sanford to wrap it up. Goaltender Jordan Binnington stopped 32 shots. O'Reilly won the Conn Smythe trophy as the MVP in the playoffs, having scored goals in four consecutive games. No one had done that since Wayne Gretzky.
The Blues were a rags-to-riches story this season, having sat at the bottom of the National Hockey League standings on New Year's Day. Then a coaching change was made, with Craig Berube replacing Mike Yeo. Then they ripped off a string of victories, thanks in part to Binnington's goaltending, that ended with a high playoff position in the Western Conference.. The Winnipeg Jets, Dallas Stars and San Jose Sharks all fell before the Blues along their playoff run.
The Bruins more or less benefited from upsets that had rocked the Eastern Conference during the playoffs, which included the league-leading Tampa Bay Lightning getting swept in the first round by the Columbus Blue Jackets, and the Carolina Hurricanes dethroning last year's champion Washington Capitals. Boston took care of the Blue Jackets, Hurricanes and Toronto Maple Leafs to make it to the finals.
The Blues entered the NHL in the 1967-68 season with five other expansion teams (Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers, Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota North Stars and Oakland Seals) that played in a division of their own. St. Louis represented that division in the Stanley Cup finals for three consecutive years, losing the Cup to the Montreal Canadiens and Boston Bruins without ever winning a game. Then came a half century of waiting, as all anyone remembered of the Blues' last trip to the finals were endless replays of the Bruins' Bobby Orr flying through the air after scoring the championship-winning goal in overtime at Boston Garden.
The city of Boston has won enough professional sports titles since the beginning of the 21st century. It's time for some other city to enjoy that honor, and look what's come marching into St. Louis. Laura Branigan, who died in 2004, must be very proud.
The Blues defeated the Bruins in Boston 4-1 Wednesday night, winning the Stanley Cup for the first time in their 52-year history. Ryan O'Reilly and Alex Pietrangelo scored goals in the first period of Game 7, followed in the third by Brayden Schenn and Zach Sanford to wrap it up. Goaltender Jordan Binnington stopped 32 shots. O'Reilly won the Conn Smythe trophy as the MVP in the playoffs, having scored goals in four consecutive games. No one had done that since Wayne Gretzky.
The Blues were a rags-to-riches story this season, having sat at the bottom of the National Hockey League standings on New Year's Day. Then a coaching change was made, with Craig Berube replacing Mike Yeo. Then they ripped off a string of victories, thanks in part to Binnington's goaltending, that ended with a high playoff position in the Western Conference.. The Winnipeg Jets, Dallas Stars and San Jose Sharks all fell before the Blues along their playoff run.
The Bruins more or less benefited from upsets that had rocked the Eastern Conference during the playoffs, which included the league-leading Tampa Bay Lightning getting swept in the first round by the Columbus Blue Jackets, and the Carolina Hurricanes dethroning last year's champion Washington Capitals. Boston took care of the Blue Jackets, Hurricanes and Toronto Maple Leafs to make it to the finals.
The Blues entered the NHL in the 1967-68 season with five other expansion teams (Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers, Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota North Stars and Oakland Seals) that played in a division of their own. St. Louis represented that division in the Stanley Cup finals for three consecutive years, losing the Cup to the Montreal Canadiens and Boston Bruins without ever winning a game. Then came a half century of waiting, as all anyone remembered of the Blues' last trip to the finals were endless replays of the Bruins' Bobby Orr flying through the air after scoring the championship-winning goal in overtime at Boston Garden.
The city of Boston has won enough professional sports titles since the beginning of the 21st century. It's time for some other city to enjoy that honor, and look what's come marching into St. Louis. Laura Branigan, who died in 2004, must be very proud.
Tuesday, May 28, 2019
St. Thomas: Victims of Their Own Success
The University of St. Thomas, a private school based in St. Paul, has been a member of the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) for nearly a century. They have an undergraduate population of over six thousand, which is more than the other schools (most of them in smaller towns) in the conference.
UST has also been a powerhouse in Division III athletics, having won several conference and national championships in various sports. Which is also more than other schools in the MIAC.
The problem for St. Thomas, as far as the MIAC is concerned, is that so much winning tends to breed resentment. Their football team, for example, has blown away the competition as often as James Holzhauer keeps setting records as a contestant on "Jeopardy!" (he's up to over $2.2 million in winnings as of 5/28/19). A 97-0 shutout of St. Olaf immediately comes to mind.
So the MIAC announced last week that St. Thomas has been "involuntarily removed" from the conference, effective in 2021. That meant they were kicked out for too many victories, too many blowouts, and too many students enrolled. The MIAC hasn't publicly said why, but one could guess.
This is the same conference whose members have the least creative nicknames in college sports, unless your imagination is more creative than the schools. St. John's is known as the Johnnies. Augsburg has the Auggies. Gustavus Adolphus the Gusties. St. Olaf the Oles, Carleton's teams are named the Carls. Oh, and St. Thomas is known as the Tommies. One of the few nicknames in the conference that is considered normal is the Hamline University Pipers (the Pied Piper of Hamlin, get it?). At least they aren't known as the Hammies.
All of this leaves St. Thomas without many options. If they want to continue in NCAA Division III (small schools, no scholarships), they'll have to join a conference full of Wisconsin-based universities which includes Yours Truly's alma mater, the University of Wisconsin at River Falls. The Tommies can keep their lucrative football rivalry with St. John's, hockey, and other athletic programs. If they decide to move up to Division II, they'll have to spend money on scholarships and improved facilities, but there would also be no more football rivalry or hockey. Or they could go independent.
I have family members who have matriculated at MIAC universities in the past, and this is like asking the oldest son to leave the farm because he's become too big for his britches. St. Thomas will find its way in the world, and the little schools they leave behind will now have to fend for themselves.
UST has also been a powerhouse in Division III athletics, having won several conference and national championships in various sports. Which is also more than other schools in the MIAC.
The problem for St. Thomas, as far as the MIAC is concerned, is that so much winning tends to breed resentment. Their football team, for example, has blown away the competition as often as James Holzhauer keeps setting records as a contestant on "Jeopardy!" (he's up to over $2.2 million in winnings as of 5/28/19). A 97-0 shutout of St. Olaf immediately comes to mind.
So the MIAC announced last week that St. Thomas has been "involuntarily removed" from the conference, effective in 2021. That meant they were kicked out for too many victories, too many blowouts, and too many students enrolled. The MIAC hasn't publicly said why, but one could guess.
This is the same conference whose members have the least creative nicknames in college sports, unless your imagination is more creative than the schools. St. John's is known as the Johnnies. Augsburg has the Auggies. Gustavus Adolphus the Gusties. St. Olaf the Oles, Carleton's teams are named the Carls. Oh, and St. Thomas is known as the Tommies. One of the few nicknames in the conference that is considered normal is the Hamline University Pipers (the Pied Piper of Hamlin, get it?). At least they aren't known as the Hammies.
All of this leaves St. Thomas without many options. If they want to continue in NCAA Division III (small schools, no scholarships), they'll have to join a conference full of Wisconsin-based universities which includes Yours Truly's alma mater, the University of Wisconsin at River Falls. The Tommies can keep their lucrative football rivalry with St. John's, hockey, and other athletic programs. If they decide to move up to Division II, they'll have to spend money on scholarships and improved facilities, but there would also be no more football rivalry or hockey. Or they could go independent.
I have family members who have matriculated at MIAC universities in the past, and this is like asking the oldest son to leave the farm because he's become too big for his britches. St. Thomas will find its way in the world, and the little schools they leave behind will now have to fend for themselves.
Thursday, April 11, 2019
Wild, Wolves 2018-19: Early Exits
For the second consecutive year, the NHL Minnesota Wild and NBA Timberwolves ended their seasons at the same time. Last year, you will recall, both teams made it to the first round of the playoffs before bowing out. This time, neither of them qualified and the playoffs are going ahead without them.
Wild: You Can't Win If You Don't Score
The team ended up out of the running for Lord Stanley's Cup for the first time since 2012 with 83 points (37-36-9) and last place in the Central Division. Despite signature wins at league leaders Tampa Bay, Winnipeg and Washington, they had too many bad losses to bad teams and failed to take advantage of home ice.
The Wild scored 211 goals this season, and gave up 237. Despite heroic efforts by the goaltending staff, it was all negated by the collective failure to put the puck in the net. They had consecutive games last season in which they were shut out, including season-ending losses to the Boston Bruins at home and the Dallas Stars on the road.
Yes, injuries played a part with several players--notably Mikko Koivu, Zack Parise and Matt Dumba (in a fight, no less)--spending time on the disabled list. General manager Paul Fenton, in his first season, tried to help by trading popular players Charlie Coyle to the Bruins, Mikael Granlund to the Nashville Predators, and Nico Niederriter to the Carolina Hurricanes.
Younger players tried to step up, whether they came through trades or through the Iowa Wild: Joel Eriksson Ek, Luke Kunin, Jordan Greenway and Ryan Donato.
Coach Bruce Boudreau has one season left on his contract, and a final chance to prove that all the inconsistency the Wild has been noted for in recent years isn't completely his fault. Another season like this one, though, and Fenton might get the opportunity to name his own coach.
First, they need to re-learn how to score goals.
Stanley Cup Final Matchup in June: Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Nashville Predators.
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Timberwolves: Familiar Territory
During the NCAA Men's Final Four in Minneapolis, Charles Barkley, TV's best-known basketball commentator who was covering the tournament for CBS, went off on the Wolves during a Katy Perry concert. He said the reason he hasn't been back in town for years was that the team "sucked".
Tell us something we didn't know, Sir Charles.
The Wolves landed in familiar territory, with a 36-46 record that left them out of the Western Conference playoff picture. But so did LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers, which means they'll have a better draft pick than the Wolves will. Because they're the Lakers.
In a season that began with Jimmy Butler whining his way to Philadelphia, followed by his partner-in-crime coach Tom Thibodeau out the door, the Wolves took their usual place as the team where good things seldom happen. Karl-Anthony Towns seems to think he has a future here, having signed a contract extension. So did Andrew Wiggins, although the way he played at times this season seemed to suggest (as Sheryl Crow would put it) a change would do him good.
Thibodeau's replacement Ryan Saunders (yes, Flip Saunders' son) and general manager Scott Layden are both on the bubble in terms of returning next season. But don't be surprised if both come back. Because with the Wolves, it's not what you know, but who owner Glen Taylor knows and feels comfortable with.
If Charles Barkley ever decides to come back to the Twin Cities, it should be because the Timberwolves have an improved team that are making the playoffs with regularity. Not because the NCAA was so impressed by the way Minneapolis handled the Men's Final Four that they gave this city another one. That's assuming, of course, that the Wolves are still here by then.
NBA Finals Matchup in June: Golden State Warriors vs. Boston Celtics.
Wild: You Can't Win If You Don't Score
The team ended up out of the running for Lord Stanley's Cup for the first time since 2012 with 83 points (37-36-9) and last place in the Central Division. Despite signature wins at league leaders Tampa Bay, Winnipeg and Washington, they had too many bad losses to bad teams and failed to take advantage of home ice.
The Wild scored 211 goals this season, and gave up 237. Despite heroic efforts by the goaltending staff, it was all negated by the collective failure to put the puck in the net. They had consecutive games last season in which they were shut out, including season-ending losses to the Boston Bruins at home and the Dallas Stars on the road.
Yes, injuries played a part with several players--notably Mikko Koivu, Zack Parise and Matt Dumba (in a fight, no less)--spending time on the disabled list. General manager Paul Fenton, in his first season, tried to help by trading popular players Charlie Coyle to the Bruins, Mikael Granlund to the Nashville Predators, and Nico Niederriter to the Carolina Hurricanes.
Younger players tried to step up, whether they came through trades or through the Iowa Wild: Joel Eriksson Ek, Luke Kunin, Jordan Greenway and Ryan Donato.
Coach Bruce Boudreau has one season left on his contract, and a final chance to prove that all the inconsistency the Wild has been noted for in recent years isn't completely his fault. Another season like this one, though, and Fenton might get the opportunity to name his own coach.
First, they need to re-learn how to score goals.
Stanley Cup Final Matchup in June: Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Nashville Predators.
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Timberwolves: Familiar Territory
During the NCAA Men's Final Four in Minneapolis, Charles Barkley, TV's best-known basketball commentator who was covering the tournament for CBS, went off on the Wolves during a Katy Perry concert. He said the reason he hasn't been back in town for years was that the team "sucked".
Tell us something we didn't know, Sir Charles.
The Wolves landed in familiar territory, with a 36-46 record that left them out of the Western Conference playoff picture. But so did LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers, which means they'll have a better draft pick than the Wolves will. Because they're the Lakers.
In a season that began with Jimmy Butler whining his way to Philadelphia, followed by his partner-in-crime coach Tom Thibodeau out the door, the Wolves took their usual place as the team where good things seldom happen. Karl-Anthony Towns seems to think he has a future here, having signed a contract extension. So did Andrew Wiggins, although the way he played at times this season seemed to suggest (as Sheryl Crow would put it) a change would do him good.
Thibodeau's replacement Ryan Saunders (yes, Flip Saunders' son) and general manager Scott Layden are both on the bubble in terms of returning next season. But don't be surprised if both come back. Because with the Wolves, it's not what you know, but who owner Glen Taylor knows and feels comfortable with.
If Charles Barkley ever decides to come back to the Twin Cities, it should be because the Timberwolves have an improved team that are making the playoffs with regularity. Not because the NCAA was so impressed by the way Minneapolis handled the Men's Final Four that they gave this city another one. That's assuming, of course, that the Wolves are still here by then.
NBA Finals Matchup in June: Golden State Warriors vs. Boston Celtics.
Tuesday, April 9, 2019
NCAA: Virginia and Baylor Rule College Basketball
The University of Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball team rewrote the narrative of a top-seeded team who, only last season, lost to a 16th seed named Maryland-Baltimore County and was ridiculed everywhere they went. They just won the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship for the first time in Minneapolis, defeating Texas Tech in overtime 85-77.
De'Andre Hunter scored 27 points and Kyle Guy scored 24 to lead the Cavaliers to victory, not to mention being nearly perfect against the Red Raiders in OT to seal it.
This time around, Virginia was an under-the-radar team that somehow skipped over the top seeds in the tournament to get where they are. They got past Gardner-Webb, Oklahoma, Oregon, Purdue and Auburn on the way to Minneapolis. It also helped that fellow ACC conference teams Duke (with all-world freshman Zion Williams) and North Carolina were both defeated.
Granted, the final four of Virginia, Texas Tech, Auburn and Michigan State did not set CBS' TV ratings on fire. But the teams did compensate with good basketball and exciting finishes, and that's all you can really ask. Oh, and a controversial finish that ended up benefiting the Cavaliers while deflating Auburn and famous alum Charles Barkley.
So yes, Virginia. The school that was founded by Thomas Jefferson is a national basketball champion.
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In Tampa, Florida Sunday, Baylor won its third women's basketball title, defeating defending champion Notre Dame 82-81.
The Bears' first title since 2012 came with Chloe Jackson scoring 26 points and the winning score with 3.6 seconds remaining. They had to overcome not only Lauren Cox' third quarter knee injury that took her out of the game, but also a late charge by the Irish that culminated in Arike Ogunbowale closing out her college career by missing free throws that would have tied the game.
Pat Mulkey, Baylor's coach, is now only the third person in NCAA history to win at least three women's championships.
De'Andre Hunter scored 27 points and Kyle Guy scored 24 to lead the Cavaliers to victory, not to mention being nearly perfect against the Red Raiders in OT to seal it.
This time around, Virginia was an under-the-radar team that somehow skipped over the top seeds in the tournament to get where they are. They got past Gardner-Webb, Oklahoma, Oregon, Purdue and Auburn on the way to Minneapolis. It also helped that fellow ACC conference teams Duke (with all-world freshman Zion Williams) and North Carolina were both defeated.
Granted, the final four of Virginia, Texas Tech, Auburn and Michigan State did not set CBS' TV ratings on fire. But the teams did compensate with good basketball and exciting finishes, and that's all you can really ask. Oh, and a controversial finish that ended up benefiting the Cavaliers while deflating Auburn and famous alum Charles Barkley.
So yes, Virginia. The school that was founded by Thomas Jefferson is a national basketball champion.
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In Tampa, Florida Sunday, Baylor won its third women's basketball title, defeating defending champion Notre Dame 82-81.
The Bears' first title since 2012 came with Chloe Jackson scoring 26 points and the winning score with 3.6 seconds remaining. They had to overcome not only Lauren Cox' third quarter knee injury that took her out of the game, but also a late charge by the Irish that culminated in Arike Ogunbowale closing out her college career by missing free throws that would have tied the game.
Pat Mulkey, Baylor's coach, is now only the third person in NCAA history to win at least three women's championships.
Wednesday, March 27, 2019
Twins 2019: New Manager, Same Old Problems
The Minnesota Twins, having said goodbye to Joe Mauer and manager Paul Molitor, are looking at the 2019 Major League Baseball season as a new beginning. A chance to quit being an inconsistent team and compete with the Cleveland Indians, with whom they finished a distant second to for the American League Central division title. The national baseball pundits are giving the Twins a shot at being contenders, which is something that hasn't happened much this decade.
There are plenty of new faces here, starting with Rocco Baldelli as the new manager. Others you may or may not have heard of yet include: Willans Astudillo as catcher, Jonathan Schoop replacing Mauer at first, and designated hitter Nelson Cruz coming in from the Seattle Mariners as a free agent.
But the same old problems that have held the Twins back for years remain. Byron Buxton and Miguel Sano have been the two players the team's been promoting as future superstars since they were drafted, except injuries and repeated trips between Minnesota and Rochester, N.Y. have blunted their effectiveness. Well, they're not kids any more, so it's time to put up or shut up. Buxton is allegedly healthy to start the season, while Sano won't be ready until May at the earliest.
The other big concern is pitching. Who knows if Jose Berrios, Kyle Gibson, Jake Odorizzi, reliever Fernando Romero or the rest of the staff can keep their team in the game?
The Twins still won't get anywhere close to Cleveland They're a good bet to finish in second or third place again. But don't be shocked if they ended the 2010s with another 90-loss season.
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The MLB season actually began a week earlier with the Mariners playing a two-game series against the Oakland Athletics in Tokyo, Japan. Already, we've had our first retirement when Ichiro Suzuki called it quits in his native country.
The big story, as it usually is during the off season, is player movement. For the longest time, free agents Bryce Harper and Manny Machado went unsigned, and people were wondering if teams were colluding to keep the price tag down. Then Machado signs with the San Diego Padres. Harper stays in the National League East division by switching from the Washington Nationals to the Philadelphia Phillies, singing for what was then the biggest long-term contract in the history of pro sports. Until Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels signed a bigger contract extension to remain with that team.
MLB continues to make strides in making its games slightly shorter than "War and Peace". But real innovations like pitch clocks and restrictions on how many times a manager can go to the mound to change pitchers per inning may have to wait until 2022, when the new collective bargaining agreement with the players is agreed upon. So keep your Kindle handy.
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Here's who we think will make it to October. Please don't take this to the bank.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
East New York Yankees
Central Cleveland Indians
West Houston Astros
Wild Card Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays
NATIONAL LEAGUE
East Atlanta Braves
Central St. Louis Cardinals
West Los Angeles Dodgers
Wild Card Milwaukee Brewers and Colorado Rockies
There are plenty of new faces here, starting with Rocco Baldelli as the new manager. Others you may or may not have heard of yet include: Willans Astudillo as catcher, Jonathan Schoop replacing Mauer at first, and designated hitter Nelson Cruz coming in from the Seattle Mariners as a free agent.
But the same old problems that have held the Twins back for years remain. Byron Buxton and Miguel Sano have been the two players the team's been promoting as future superstars since they were drafted, except injuries and repeated trips between Minnesota and Rochester, N.Y. have blunted their effectiveness. Well, they're not kids any more, so it's time to put up or shut up. Buxton is allegedly healthy to start the season, while Sano won't be ready until May at the earliest.
The other big concern is pitching. Who knows if Jose Berrios, Kyle Gibson, Jake Odorizzi, reliever Fernando Romero or the rest of the staff can keep their team in the game?
The Twins still won't get anywhere close to Cleveland They're a good bet to finish in second or third place again. But don't be shocked if they ended the 2010s with another 90-loss season.
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The MLB season actually began a week earlier with the Mariners playing a two-game series against the Oakland Athletics in Tokyo, Japan. Already, we've had our first retirement when Ichiro Suzuki called it quits in his native country.
The big story, as it usually is during the off season, is player movement. For the longest time, free agents Bryce Harper and Manny Machado went unsigned, and people were wondering if teams were colluding to keep the price tag down. Then Machado signs with the San Diego Padres. Harper stays in the National League East division by switching from the Washington Nationals to the Philadelphia Phillies, singing for what was then the biggest long-term contract in the history of pro sports. Until Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels signed a bigger contract extension to remain with that team.
MLB continues to make strides in making its games slightly shorter than "War and Peace". But real innovations like pitch clocks and restrictions on how many times a manager can go to the mound to change pitchers per inning may have to wait until 2022, when the new collective bargaining agreement with the players is agreed upon. So keep your Kindle handy.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here's who we think will make it to October. Please don't take this to the bank.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
East New York Yankees
Central Cleveland Indians
West Houston Astros
Wild Card Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays
NATIONAL LEAGUE
East Atlanta Braves
Central St. Louis Cardinals
West Los Angeles Dodgers
Wild Card Milwaukee Brewers and Colorado Rockies
Tuesday, February 5, 2019
Super Bowl 53: Boring But Important
In the end, Super Bowl 53 in Atlanta was a complete and utter dud compared to the exciting finishes of recent years. But it was also historic. The New England Patriots defeated the Los Angeles Rams 13-3, tying the all time record for most championships (six) with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Patriots did it in less than two decades with the same coach (Bill Belichick) and quarterback (Tom Brady). The Steelers achieved it over a three decade period with three different coaches and quarterbacks.
More about the game later. Right now, let's break down what else happened in and around the big game.
Prelude
The Rams were not supposed to be here, having benefited from a missed pass interference call that would have gone against them, and that would have enabled the New Orleans Saints to win the NFC Championship. Instead, the game remained tied going into overtime, where the Rams kicked the winning field goal that sent them to Atlanta. But that one bad call was all people could talk about in the two week break leading up to the Super Bowl, with upset Saints fans threatening boycotts and lawsuits against the NFL seeking to upend the results.
As for the Patriots, they shut down the Kansas City Chiefs in overtime to win the AFC Championship, with Brady all the while claiming that his team was getting no respect. That came across as, given New England's recent history for dominating the conference, was more for motivation than truth.
The Game
With three points on the board each for the Rams and Patriots for three quarters and punting dominating, this was a defensive struggle, to put it mildly. CBS' Jim Nantz and Tony Romo tried their best to make the game more exciting than it was, but in vain. Only a 29-yard pass from Brady to Julian Edelman (who was voted Super Bowl MVP), followed by a running play into the end zone in the fourth quarter to enliven things and to seal the deal for New England. A combined total of sixteen points by both teams was the lowest in Super Bowl history. But then again, defense does win championships.
Halftime
Maroon 5 may not have been the first choice for the Super Bowl halftime show, but the NFL seems to have gone through nearly every mass appeal pop act that isn't NSFTV (not safe for TV). Atlanta is the capital of hip hop, and nearly every worthy act boycotted the event out of respect for Colin Kaepernick's continued persona non grata status from the league for taking a knee during the national anthem, and for trying to be nice to President Donald Trump. It also accounts for the lack of believability when it comes to the NFL's social justice initiative, launching as it did in Dr. Martin Luther King's hometown during Black History Month.
Adam Levine, Maroon 5's front man and celebrity judge on TV's "The Voice", did a good job of singing the band's Top 40 hits while performing mostly shirtless and having moves like Mick Jagger. He also exposed his nipples and tattoos in a way that Janet Jackson never could. Double standard much?
Commercials
Companies spend millions of dollars each year to get their message and their product across before the biggest TV audience of the year.. Here's how some of those companies spent their money.
More about the game later. Right now, let's break down what else happened in and around the big game.
Prelude
The Rams were not supposed to be here, having benefited from a missed pass interference call that would have gone against them, and that would have enabled the New Orleans Saints to win the NFC Championship. Instead, the game remained tied going into overtime, where the Rams kicked the winning field goal that sent them to Atlanta. But that one bad call was all people could talk about in the two week break leading up to the Super Bowl, with upset Saints fans threatening boycotts and lawsuits against the NFL seeking to upend the results.
As for the Patriots, they shut down the Kansas City Chiefs in overtime to win the AFC Championship, with Brady all the while claiming that his team was getting no respect. That came across as, given New England's recent history for dominating the conference, was more for motivation than truth.
The Game
With three points on the board each for the Rams and Patriots for three quarters and punting dominating, this was a defensive struggle, to put it mildly. CBS' Jim Nantz and Tony Romo tried their best to make the game more exciting than it was, but in vain. Only a 29-yard pass from Brady to Julian Edelman (who was voted Super Bowl MVP), followed by a running play into the end zone in the fourth quarter to enliven things and to seal the deal for New England. A combined total of sixteen points by both teams was the lowest in Super Bowl history. But then again, defense does win championships.
Halftime
Maroon 5 may not have been the first choice for the Super Bowl halftime show, but the NFL seems to have gone through nearly every mass appeal pop act that isn't NSFTV (not safe for TV). Atlanta is the capital of hip hop, and nearly every worthy act boycotted the event out of respect for Colin Kaepernick's continued persona non grata status from the league for taking a knee during the national anthem, and for trying to be nice to President Donald Trump. It also accounts for the lack of believability when it comes to the NFL's social justice initiative, launching as it did in Dr. Martin Luther King's hometown during Black History Month.
Adam Levine, Maroon 5's front man and celebrity judge on TV's "The Voice", did a good job of singing the band's Top 40 hits while performing mostly shirtless and having moves like Mick Jagger. He also exposed his nipples and tattoos in a way that Janet Jackson never could. Double standard much?
Commercials
Companies spend millions of dollars each year to get their message and their product across before the biggest TV audience of the year.. Here's how some of those companies spent their money.
- Bud Light and its Kingdom of Dilly claims its beer, unlike the other guys, doesn't use corn syrup. In another ad, the Kingdom is attacked by a flying dragon, which makes sense only if you're a rabid "Game of Thrones" fan.
- Bob Dylan's anti-nuclear war classic "Blowing In The Wind" is used to remind us that Budweiser is now brewed with wind power. Good to know. We think.
- Harrison Ford's dog in an Amazon ad orders mass quantities of dog food through his dog collar, which was a rejected use for Alexa.
- Sarah Jessica Parker and Jeff Bridges (as the Dude from "The Big Lebowski") walk into a bar and order Stella Artois beer, just to be different. Call it "Stella and The City".
- The Washington Post (now owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos) stressed the importance of journalism while saluting those who died practicing it.
Monday, January 7, 2019
Clemson 2, Alabama 1 (in championships)
For the fourth consecutive year, the University of Alabama's Crimson Tide and Clemson University's Tigers have faced each other in the College Football Playoff. Three of those times included the championship game, which included Monday's matchup at Santa Clara, California. Everyone wondered if these were the only two institutions of learning in America capable of playing championship football in this decade.
The final was Clemson 44, Alabama 16. It was the Tigers' second title in three years, beating a Crimson Tide team that had been the best in America for most of the fall, and the envy of most other college football programs under coach Nick Saban.
Clemson's defense capitalized on many Tide mistakes and, through the arm of freshman quarterback Trevor Lawrence (three touchdowns and over 300 yards passing), outshone Alabama's star QB Tua Tagovalova. It was an impressive end to a season that saw the Tigers go 15-0, something that hasn't been done in 121 years.
After running through their conference schedules, the Tigers beat Notre Dame 30-3 in the Cotton Bowl, and the Tide won a shootout over Oklahoma 45-34 in the Orange Bowl. These semifinal games were held on the Saturday between Christmas and New Year's, as ESPN keeps trying to convince viewers to watch bowl games on days other than January 1. So far, it's had the effect of being lumped in with all the other Your Name Here bowl games, with ratings to match.
Now it's Clemson's turn to shine with a bright future apparently in sight, while Alabama coach Saban will simply go back to the drawing board and reload for another shot at the title. Given the flawed state of college football, it would surprise no one if these schools met for the fifth time for the national championship.
The final was Clemson 44, Alabama 16. It was the Tigers' second title in three years, beating a Crimson Tide team that had been the best in America for most of the fall, and the envy of most other college football programs under coach Nick Saban.
Clemson's defense capitalized on many Tide mistakes and, through the arm of freshman quarterback Trevor Lawrence (three touchdowns and over 300 yards passing), outshone Alabama's star QB Tua Tagovalova. It was an impressive end to a season that saw the Tigers go 15-0, something that hasn't been done in 121 years.
After running through their conference schedules, the Tigers beat Notre Dame 30-3 in the Cotton Bowl, and the Tide won a shootout over Oklahoma 45-34 in the Orange Bowl. These semifinal games were held on the Saturday between Christmas and New Year's, as ESPN keeps trying to convince viewers to watch bowl games on days other than January 1. So far, it's had the effect of being lumped in with all the other Your Name Here bowl games, with ratings to match.
Now it's Clemson's turn to shine with a bright future apparently in sight, while Alabama coach Saban will simply go back to the drawing board and reload for another shot at the title. Given the flawed state of college football, it would surprise no one if these schools met for the fifth time for the national championship.
Friday, January 4, 2019
The State of Minnesota Football 2018
The Minnesota Vikings finished at 8-7-1 and out of the playoff picture for the 2018 NFL season, having come out flat in the final regular season game against the NFC North champion Chicago Bears, who had little to play for but showed up anyway. The Vikings lost the game and the final playoff spot, which had been theirs to win, to the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles,
Plenty of factors were in play to make the Vikings, to whom some fearless football pundits thought were going to go. all. the. way. (Chris Berman), plunge to the depths of mediocrity this season.
Our preliminary Super Bowl pick: New Orleans Saints vs. New England Patriots.
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The University of Minnesota Golden Gopher football team had another up-and-down season under coach P.J. Fleck, going 3-6 in the Big Ten and 7-6 overall. Despite this record, they made their way to the Quick Lane Bowl in Detroit, beating Georgia Tech 34-10.
There were two reasons why the Gophers turned their season around after a slow start:
Plenty of factors were in play to make the Vikings, to whom some fearless football pundits thought were going to go. all. the. way. (Chris Berman), plunge to the depths of mediocrity this season.
- Kirk Cousins turned out to be the highest-paid "average" quarterback in NFL history. But he still managed to remain upright the entire season, and Aaron Rodgers didn't.
- The death of offensive line coach Tony Sparano shortly before training camp, and the firing of offensive coordinator John DeFilippo didn't help matters for a sputtering offense and a line that couldn't protect Cousins.
- A tie at Green Bay, an unexpected loss to lowly Buffalo at home, and not staying on the same field against teams with winning records. Plus the Bears had a great year.
- And, of course, the old standby excuse for not living up to expectations: Injuries, and plenty of them.
Our preliminary Super Bowl pick: New Orleans Saints vs. New England Patriots.
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The University of Minnesota Golden Gopher football team had another up-and-down season under coach P.J. Fleck, going 3-6 in the Big Ten and 7-6 overall. Despite this record, they made their way to the Quick Lane Bowl in Detroit, beating Georgia Tech 34-10.
There were two reasons why the Gophers turned their season around after a slow start:
- After giving up more than 50 points to bad teams like Illinois and Nebraska, Fleck fired his defensive coordinator Robb Smith, replacing him with Joe Rossi. Almost overnight, the team's defense improved.
- Defeating the Wisconsin Badgers at Madison 34-10, taking Paul Bunyan's Axe home for the first time since 2003, and becoming bowl-eligible.
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