Sportscolumn.com – Page 52 – Sports News and Commentary

The Curse of Caroline

A weird thing happened. Two weeks ago, the Tampa Bay Rays were on top of the world. They were the cute story of baseball’s first half – even getting a bandwagon all to themselves. This latest development made me gag, but before I was even done heaving, something had changed. The Rays seven-game winning streak didn’t just end; it got obliterated. Tampa Bay limped into the All-Star break like Lieutenant Dan, losing not only seven games in a row – but also the lead in the AL East. In the middle of this unpredictable slump, I tried to figure out what had changed. My father had a pretty good suggestion – so let me share a short fable with you.

Tags neil diamond, rays, satan

General Sports

Escape of a Sports Writer

I want to write this article; I really do. I want you to click on it, to read it, to laugh, maybe cry, maybe cringe, maybe email me about how much you hate it. I really do.

But I have nothing, nothing at all.

All Other Sports

A Masshole Degenerate Gambler in King Arthur’s Court… er- Reno

Post author By BostonMac
Post date August 1, 2008
2 Comments on A Masshole Degenerate Gambler in King Arthur’s Court… er- Reno

By Ryan McGowan

Perhaps it was when I had to ask the guys from the Mine Rescue Simulation team how the hell you simulate a mine in a hotel casino. It could have been when the cab driver asked me if I wanted to tag along with his next customer out to the Bunny Ranch. But in hindsight, I think the moment I realized that Massholes don’t belong in Reno was when I was walking down North Virginia Street and realized I was out of place because I was actually wearing a shirt.

Tags blackjack, gambling, reno, travel, vegas

Cincinnati Bengals

He’s Just Chad…Being Chad

He is both a unique and talented football player. He is unique in that he plans out touchdown celebrations weeks in advance and sends Pepto Bismol to opposing defenders. He is talented in shattering Bengals receiving records and making spectacular catches that few human beings have any business making. He is Chad Johnson.

Tags chad johnson, Cincinnati Bengals, football, NFL

All Other Sports

25 Greatest American Thoroughbreds: Part 1 of 6

Post author By bsd987
Post date July 29, 2008
No Comments on 25 Greatest American Thoroughbreds: Part 1 of 6

Eleven. Currently, that’s the most important number in American horse racing. There have been eleven Triple Crown winners spread out over 59 years.

However, since the dawn of television, which for arguments sake was 1952, there have only been three horses that could claim all three legs.

For any American who could not get to Louisville, Ky., Baltimore, or Elmont, N.Y., the first time he or she saw a champion horse was in 1952 when CBS affiliate WHAS covered the Kentucky Derby and the signal was broadcast across the country. Hill Gail won the race as the favorite, but an injury kept him out of the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes. He never won another major stakes in his career.

Tags belmont, breeders' cup, horse racing, kentucky derby, preakness, thoroughbred racing, triple crown

MLB General

Past and Present

Last night I had the pleasure of seeing the live filming of “Costas Now”. For those of you who have not seen the show it is hosted by Bob Costas and usually he has several panels on the show to discuss many different sports topics. Last nights show was all about “The State of Baseball.”

College Football

College Football: Don’t Change The BCS

Post author By mfitz
Post date July 29, 2008
No Comments on College Football: Don’t Change The BCS

Most people think that college football should implement some form of a playoff system.
This is the argument for why college football should leave the BCS exactly the way it is.

Tags College, College Football, football

Green Bay Packers

You into the Brett Favre Saga? Me Neither

Post author By bsd987
Post date July 28, 2008
17 Comments on You into the Brett Favre Saga? Me Neither

Maybe I am alone; maybe I am out of touch; maybe I am just missing something. No matter what, I do not think it’s a bad thing.

When I woke up this morning, I made my normal voyage over to ESPN.com. I don’t like ESPN, never have and never will, but I need to make the trip in order to keep the proverbial enemy closer.

And there I see it.

Miami Dolphins

McCown deserves vote of confidence

Post author By kroberts
Post date July 28, 2008
3 Comments on McCown deserves vote of confidence

Ever since Dan Marino retired, the Dolphins have been wading in mediocrity at the most important position in the game. They went from the game manager Jay Fiedler, to Gus Frerotte, and then to has-beens like Dante Culpepper and Trent Green. Now, in a muddled quarterback controversy, there are two young gunslingers, and one who hasn’t been given a fair shake since he entered the league in Josh McCown.

We already saw what John Beck brings to the table through five games and a measly 559 yards. True, he was on the worst team in the league last year, and with very little weapons, but he simply did not perform like a guy should that is being called “the quarterback of the future”.

That’s why Bill Parcells signed McCown and drafted Henne, a Michigan product, like all other Michigan quarterback prospects-looks better than he probably is. Henne might have a shot at proving he’s the guy down the stretch, but realistically, it’d be nothing short of a large step back than to keep drafting quarterbacks and then switching them. Parcells doesn’t want to leave it to the gods for two straight seasons like his competitor, the New York Jets, clearly plan on doing with Kellen Clemens and Chad Pennington.

Tags bill parcells, chad henne, johan santana, josh mccown, Miami Dolphins

NFL General

30 activities to pass the time until Kickoff

Post author By Vertigo
Post date July 28, 2008
No Comments on 30 activities to pass the time until Kickoff

I’ve heard that there are two different times of the year. There is football season, and there is waiting for football season. With about 50 days left (depending on which day you read this) until the kickoff of the NFL season I thought it would be fun to list some entertaining activities to occupy your time. Understand that these range from the mundane, to the ludicrous, to “Hey, maybe I could actually do that.” This column is all in fun and some of the activities listed should be performed at the readers own risk (of embarrassment). The following are in no particular order.

Tags kickoff, NFL