Blog Archives

Dick Vitale, let it go; IU has moved on

November 27, 2012

First of all, let me say this: I am not a Dick Vitale hater. The guy’s palpable stoke for college basketball makes me smile every time I hear his self-depricating, slightly-obnoxious-but-loveable commentary. And I appreciate that the guy is so committed to keeping the memory of Jimmy Valvano alive while supporting Valvano’s organization to fight cancer. But as an Indiana University graduate, I have to say his incessant loyalty to Bob Knight has grown a little old. I don’t know if he’s doing the Indiana-North Carolina game...

Chicago’s managers — two sacrificial lambs in the dugout

May 12, 2012

When the White Sox announced that they were hiring former third baseman Robin Ventura to be their new manager, most insiders were shocked. After all, the guy's coaching experience was limited to helping out his local team -- Arroyo Grande High School -- with batting practice.

The guy had no big league, minor league or college experience as a coach, let alone as the skipper.

But the guy had personality, GM Kenny Williams suggested. He knew baseball.

What a buncha bull.

What’s so big about playing in the Big Apple?

February 15, 2012

The whole Jeremy Lin thing? Awesome. Easily the best story in a shortened, rushed NBA season. And probably the sports story of the year — so far, anyway. But I thought it was interesting a couple of games ago how Lin talked about what a thrill it was to not only be playing in the NBA, but to be playing specifically in New York. Because of the great tradition and what a great basketball town it was. And I was like, “Hmmmm.” Really? Of...

Chris Collinsworth is great because the players hate him

February 9, 2012

Well, now I’m convinced: Chris Collinsworth is a great broadcaster. I mean, I liked him before, but when I read that the NFL players voted him thier worst commentator, I knew he was doing it right. Because the players are babies – millionaire babies — and millionaire babies don’t like it when people are critical of them. After all, they’re comfortable with their millions — who wouldn’t be, right? – and in their view anyone who says anything that isn’t absolutely glowing about them is...

The dumbest penalty rules in sports

February 7, 2012

Hey, I understand the need for rules. In fact, I agree with Calvin, who said that man without government would be, ah . . . Shoot. What did he say again? Murderers or something. Yeah, yeah. Without government, men would spend their days killing each other. And I pretty much agree with that. But, I have to say, whenever you have rules, there are always a fair share of dumb rules. And that’s so true in sports. What’s that, you say? You don’t know...

After Sunday, let’s start talking about the Pacers

February 4, 2012

Okay, I understand all the Super Bowl excitement in Indianapolis this week. And, of course, since the Super Bowl deals with football, I would expect there to be a lot of talk about Colts QB (for now) Peyton Manning. But when it’s all over, I expect to hear the next big discussion about Indiana and sports to involve the Pacers. Because, chances are you haven’t even noticed, but the Pacers are good again. Real good. At 16-6, they’re only a game and a half behind the...

14 Reasons why Peyton Manning won’t return to Indianapolis

February 2, 2012

Forget the neck injury that may or may not heal, the age factor, or Andrew Luck. There’s another reason why Peyton Manning won’t ever play another game as an Indianapolis Colt. Actually, there’s 14 reasons. As in those 14 games the Colts lost this season. With the Super Bowl set to take place in Indianapolis this year, lots of people are talking about Eli’s brother, Peyton, who made Indy’s Colts one of the best teams of the 21st Century. But while an Indianapolis Super Bowl offers...

Why Murray State is not worthy of a top 25 ranking

January 30, 2012

I’m just gonna get to the point here: Murray State is not worthy. First of all, if you’re like most people, you’re thinking, “What is Murray State?” Then you’re like, “Is that a college?” And, “Why is anyone writing about some college called Murray State?” And who the hell is Murray? First of all, Murray State is indeed a college — of about 10,000 students — in a place called Murray, Kentucky, which is located roughly, ah . . . I don’t exactly know....

Forget About 2012 Cubs Fans

January 28, 2012

It’s too early to panic, Cubs fans.
Because, really, you're looking at two or three years down the road.
Forget about 2012.
Those of you who had high hopes when Beantown wunderkind Theo Epstein came to the Windy City might have noticed that the roster for the 2012 Cubs looks a lot worse than the roster for the 2011 Cubs -- and the 2011 Cubs were awful.

Can Indiana Miss the Tournament?

January 27, 2012

Imagine this: A team knocks off both a #1- and #-2 ranked squad, plus another top #20 team in a 3-week span . . . and doesn’t make the NCAA tournament. Is that even possible? Not likely, I’ll grant you that. But I wouldn’t be surprised if Indiana’s current slide — losing four of five — continues. And if it gets as bad as I suspect it will, the Hoosiers — who excited fans, only to disappoint them with a scary skid — could...