The first of many “deadline deals” in baseball went down way before the July 31st trade deadline, with the New York Mets trading closer Francisco “K-Rod” Rodriguez to the Milwaukee Brewers.
Francisco Rodriguez Traded From New York Mets to Milwaukee Brewers
July 13, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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“The Women’s World Cup Grows Up With Rapinoe To Wambach”
July 12, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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Emma Carmichael at Deadspin has the best response to the USA’s dramatic World Cup victory over Brazil that you’ll read this week:
Excerpt:
When Brandi Chastain scored the fifth and final penalty kick in the 1999 Women’s World Cup to defeat China, I was sitting in front of more big-screen televisions than I’d ever seen before at the Bowl-O-Rama restaurant in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and I was almost eleven years old. After it was over, as Chastain ripped off her shirt, I was quite certain that no moment in sports could ever top this one. I felt strongly, along with the rest of Ponytail America, that I would (for I knew that I could) one day play on that team and score the same goal that Chastain had just scored. . . .
This time around, the game felt like a very good soccer game; it was not merely a moment for nostalgia. What the U.S. did yesterday will surely inspire a new wave of young girls, but it is not replicable. There aren’t many moments in women’s sports that are purely unbelievable sports moments, but Abby Wambach’s perfect header off of Megan Rapinoe’s perfect feed in the 122nd minute against Brazil yesterday was one of those moments. It is a play that makes your jaw drop and that you must watch repeatedly and studiously to grasp how it might have happened, and even then you can’t quite believe that it still happened that way, because it was perfect and it would have been perfect if it had been Iniesta serving Villa instead.
“Look Ma, No Bra: The Women’s World Cup Grows Up With Rapinoe To Wambach”—Deadspin
All-Star Break Update on MLB’s Most Over and Underrated Players
July 12, 2011 By 5 Comments
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Way back in February, USA Today’s 2011 MLB Preview Magazine published a lengthy piece by yours truly, whereupon I rendered my thoughts on who the most over and underrated players in the game were as we approached the new campaign.
I figured I might as well do occasional updates — especially here at midseason — on these “predictions,” so as to capriciously praise or condemn myself.
AJ Kaufman is the Co-Editor of MSF. Follow him on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ajkauf7The Worst Major League Baseball All-Stars of the 2000s
July 12, 2011 By 4 Comments
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When you are an All-Star you are an All-Star for life. Alfredo Griffin and Kent Bottenfield may turn up only two hits in Google, but I assure you they say, “former All-Star” before their name.
For as many superstars bas aseball has, nothing showcases players with rare good seasons (in many cases half-seasons) than the All-Star game. Many of these “breakout” years amounted to nothing much in the end; that’s part of the reason I love the All-Star Game.
Heck, some of the players aren’t even all that good, but were merely the best players on their respective teams (which also probably were not that good) for one half of a season. For those who don’t know, MLB invites at least one player from every team, even if that team is a collection of complete bums. This has lead to a few more head scratchers.
So as much as I love baseball and the positive vibes the Derby and All Star Game carry, I want to have some fun remembering the worst All-Stars of the past decade. (Jerod is going to kick my ass as several White Sox grace this list.)
[Read more...]
Who are the best quarterbacks in the Big Ten for 2011?
July 12, 2011 By 1 Comment
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Already we have looked at the top wide receivers and running backs in the Big Ten for the 2011 season. Now it is time to look at the top quarterbacks in the Big Ten for the 2011 season.
The top signal-callers in the Big Ten for the 2011 season feature some very athletic quarterbacks and one traditional pro-style quarterback. These standout quarterbacks all helped guide their teams to a bowl game appearance last season, and if they all improve from a season ago then the Big Ten conference might have the best set of quarterbacks in college football.
Here is a look at the top quarterbacks in the Big Ten for 2011. [Read more...]
An Outsider’s Take on Kentucky Speedway, Erroneous NASCAR Stereotypes, and “Southern Hospitality”
July 12, 2011 By 5 Comments
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I attended my first NASCAR race in 2009 in Bristol, Tennessee.
It was the fall race, known in NASCAR circles as the toughest ticket on the circuit to obtain, and at the time I was neither extremely knowledgeable nor enthusiastic about the sport. A friend of mine had gotten tickets and recruited a group of us to go, ostensibly to party like maniacs and enjoy the camping and atmosphere more than the racing itself.
Generational Equity Sponsored MLB Trivia Challenge Update: Quiz 6 Chili’s Gift Certificate Winner and Overall Standings
July 11, 2011 By 1 Comment
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Last week, Will Leitch joined Ari and I on the latest episode of the MLB Trivia Challenge Podcast (all episodes here), which is sponsored by Generational Equity. Will and I did a decent job of answering the questions, but not nearly as good a job as you the listeners did.
A whopping 13 people got perfect scores on Quiz 6. Wow. I know Ari is not going to take too kindly to that, which means that episode 7 guest Gregg Doyel and I are going to have our work cut out for us.
In this quick update post, I’ll announce the winner of the Chili’s gift certificate for Quiz 6 and show you the updated overall standings.
MLB First Half Report Cards
July 11, 2011 By 2 Comments
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We’ve reached the All-Star Break, so it’s time to hand out grades to every team in the MLB. And there is no question which team gets the best grade; it’s the biggest first half surprise we’ve seen in a long, long time.
Away From the Action Podcast: Chris Callaway
July 11, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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In this episode of the Away From the Action Podcast, I talk to Chris Callaway, Midwest Sports Fans writer and reporter for the LaCrosse Tribune, about baseball statistics, the MSF rankings of the top 20 NBA players of all time, and assorted other things.
5 Reasons Non-Baseball Fans Should Give America’s Pastime One More Chance
July 11, 2011 By 11 Comments
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Twelve long years. That’s how long it’s been since I’ve followed baseball seriously.
Even though I was born and raised in Indiana, baseball was my favorite sport for most of my youth. It was the sport at which my dad played and excelled. I didn’t own a basketball hoop yet, so it was the sport I played the most. Every year, my parents bought me more and more books about America’s Pastime. If it had to do with baseball, I soaked it up like a sponge.
Cooperstown was the first Hall of Fame my parents ever took me to visit. Just in case you were wondering how obsessed I was, I saved the bag from the bookstore that held my mementos from the day.
I was the annoying kid on the block that knew all the stats. Whether it was playing, watching, or studying, I was obsessed with the sport.
Then, something happened. Well, actually, a few things:
First, I realized that the Cubs would probably never be good.
Secondly, and more importantly, I outgrew it.
When I turned 13, I entered Junior High, and my school didn’t have a baseball team. In order to continue to pursue baseball, my parents would’ve had to pay a lot of money to get me onto one of those travel teams. Since I could play soccer and basketball for free, baseball ended up taking a backseat.
My parents bought me a basketball hoop, sent me to basketball and soccer camps, and the rest was history.
As I grew older, I started to becoming antagonistic towards baseball.
It’s boring.
It’s too slow.
It’s unfair when the Yankees and Red Sox can spend so much more than everyone.
It’s unfair that the Cubs will never be good.
Etc… (every cliche imaginable)
I lost track of everything that made me love the game. Until this past Saturday.
Jon Washburn @The_Dr_Twitch10 More Indie Songs You Should Be Listening to This Summer
July 11, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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If it was up to me, I would lock myself in my room and listen to music all day. There are a few things that give me more enjoyment than listening to my favorite songs, as well as searching for and experiencing new music.
Whether I am just relaxing, writing for Midwest Sports Fans, or just surfing the net, I always have music playing in the background. I truly believe music saves, so anytime I can share some of that with people I do.
3 Unexpected Facts Found on Wikipedia
July 11, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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After spending countless hours on the internet, I have found out some interesting facts about famous athletes and movie stars on Wikipedia. I know you might be saying that “Wikipedia isn’t a reliable source” and you’re sort of correct. I would never suggest that anyone should use Wikipedia as a source for a research paper or in anything of that nature. But, if you want to find out basic information on anything, Wikipedia is a great site to use.
Now, let’s present some facts that I found on famous athletes and actors using Wikipedia. And of course I did check the citations to prove that these facts came from reliable sources and not from somebody like Anthony Crispino.
U.S. Women’s Soccer Team Proves It’s Something Special In Thrilling Victory Over Brazil
July 11, 2011 By 7 Comments
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The ground ball through Bill Buckner’s legs.
Christian Laettner in the final second of double overtime v. Kentucky.
John Elway and the 98-yard drive.
Now it’s time to add Abby Wambach in the 122nd minute to the collection.
Every Baseball Fan Should Respect Derek Jeter After His 3,000th Hit
July 10, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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Derek Jeter joined one of the most elite clubs in baseball after he recorded his 3,000th hit on a home run in the 3rd inning of yesterday’s win over the Rays. He joined a club that includes the likes of Cap Anson, Honus Wagner, and Paul Waner. The club now has 28 members, with Jeter being the first player in a Yankee uniform to join.
There is no doubt that the Yankees are the most disliked team in the history of sports (with the Miami Heat desperately trying to take over this title), but this hate should not be directed towards Derek Jeter. He is not like the others, the ones who were hated such as Roger Clemens or Jason Giambi. He has done nothing to garner this hate, with his only offense being playing for the Yankees.
If Jeter was in the news for negative reasons, as some of his teammates over the years have been, there would be reason to dislike him. This has not been the case.
Stages of a Bench Clearing Baseball Brawl
July 9, 2011 By 2 Comments
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During last night’s Red Sox-Orioles game, a fight broke out between the two teams. It started after O’s pitcher Kevin Gregg threw a few pitches inside to David Ortiz. Big Papi and Gregg shared some words, but the at bat went on. Ortiz then hit a lazy fly on a 3-0 count, and did not run to first. This clearly angered Gregg, who yelled at Ortiz to run to first. This is when a full bench clearing brawl broke out.
Every baseball fight features similar happenings, and last night’s exhibited those happenings.
