Thursday, July 28, 2016

HERE AND THERE

** Buyers or sellers? 
That's the big question in all the sports columns these days. The writers change their position daily, all depending on whether a team wins or loses that day's game. 
Except, it seems, in New York where the columnists insist they are not fooled by the Yankee's latest winning streak. Sell, sell sell. GM Brian Cashman says he's willing to be overwhelmed so he's just waiting...and waiting...and waiting. So it becomes a poker game: the buyer or the seller. In the end, if a true contending team has a hole they need to fill, they will pull the trigger at the last minute.

** Follow the rules
Mike Scioscia  has filed a protest of Wednesday night's game with Kansas City over a ruling made by home plate umpire Phil Cuzzi. While running to first base, Raul Mondesi was hit in the back by a throw from the LA pitcher. Scioscia claims Mondesi was running outside the lines when he was hit but Cuzzi failed to call the infraction. He said in his judgement, Mondesi was starting to turn into the base and therefore is not out. 
Rule 5.09(a)(11) 
The lines marking the three-foot lane are a part of that lane and a
batter-runner is required to have both feet within the three-foot
lane or on the lines marking the lane. The batter-runner is permitted
to exit the three-foot lane by means of a step, stride,
reach or slide in the immediate vicinity of first base for the sole
purpose of touching first base.

Seems pretty clear cut to me. There is no judgement here. Why does Cuzzi feel he could decide that?

In line with that topic, here's one that always irritates me. Umpires grant a batter timeout whenever he asks, regardless of the situation. There's no judgement here either.
Rule 5.04(b)(2)
Umpires will not call “Time” at the request of the batter or any
member of his team once the pitcher has started his windup or
has come to a set position even though the batter claims “dust
in his eyes,” “steamed glasses,” “didn’t get the sign” or for any
other cause.

It doesn't say that the umpire has discretion here, it says he CANNOT call time.  Just like the players, I'm never going to win an argument with the umpires either.

** Baseball by legislation
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred wants to improve the pace of play so that the length of games becomes more reasonable. I'm all for that. Rather than deal with the real problem, he's trying to skirt the issue with rules changes that make no sense. The latest suggestion is to limit the number of pitching changes in an inning or a game. That would have a major impact on the game. How can you limit a manager from changing the personnel in order to give his team the best chance to win. the manager already has the limitation that a pitcher MUST pitch to at least one batter before he can be replaced. That rule eliminates a lot of stupid moves. 
Speeding up the game should be easy. Keep the batter in the batter's box and the pitchers on the mound and on the rubber. Everybody wanders around like they're playing Pokemon. If your batting glove is loose, tough. Never mind checking the position of the fielders. They know their job, do yours. 
It'll never happen.

** I've got to feed my family after all 
The qualifying offer to MBL free agents will jump to $16.7 million next year. I don't understand all the money they pay these guys anyway, so what's the point?

***THEY SAID IT***
"The Arizona Diamondbacks concession stands are offering a 3,540-calorie sundae. It has to be towed to the stadium."  -- Brad Dickson
"MMA fighter/boxer Brock Lesnar reportedly failed two PED tests. First clue came when both specimen cups melted."  -- Dwight Perry

"Eagles LB Nigel Bradham was arrested in Miami for aggravated assault; he allegedly beat up a 50 year-old hotel worker who didn’t get his umbrella set up quickly enough. Is Bradham trying to get traded to the 49ers or Cowboys?"  -- Janice Hough
"Charles describes his erratic golf game: “Golf is fun, until you hit somebody in the head.”  -- Charles Barkley
"A 61-year old Brit plans to televise himself getting buried alive on British TV. Here in North America, we simply watch the Atlanta Braves."  -- RJ Currie

"The American Red Cross, saying supplies are running low, is soliciting blood donors. Fortunately, there’s an MMA fight every couple of months."  -- Dwight Perry

"Tim Duncan is stepping aside after 19 seasons. You know what a San Antonio Spurs player calls it when you leave after 19 years? “Early retirement.”  -- Brad Dickson

CP-

 

Sunday, July 24, 2016

VEECK...AS IN WRECK

That's the title of a bio for Bill Veeck, former GM of the Chicago White Sox. He may be one of only two baseball front office personnel who thought of baseball as a GAME, not a business. He wanted not only the players, but also the fans to have fun with the game. He was the first to shoot off fireworks after a home team homer, he sent a midget up to pinch hit in a regular season game and he designed some of the craziest uniforms baseball has ever seen. There were failures. He sponsored a "Disco Night," where fans got a discount ticket if they brought a disco record to be destroyed. They collected them onto the field where they were lit on fire. Unfortunately, the fans thought of other things to light on fire. Ten cent beer night was a riot - literally.
He sent players out to play in shorts. He also designed a uniform top with a collar. It didn't really matter to him whether the players liked them or not, he wanted people in the stands, and If he couldn't do it with a winning team, he was going to find other ways.
When the Sox had a throwback game in which the collared uniforms were to be worn, Chris Sale, current ace of the White Sox staff, decided he didn't like them, I mean REALLY didn't like them. He took some scissors and cut them up. At first, I read that he just cut up his but later reports had him cutting up several of them.The Sox responded by saying, "You've made your point, now go home." So he was scratched from his scheduled start that night. The Sox say they are "...investigating further," which is a nice way of saying they are trying to decide what to do. For $9.1 million a year, I'd play naked. That would teach them. 

 The Giants win the pennant, the Giants....
Actually, they just won a one game, their first since the All-Star break. And the Yankees lost. So things are back to normal, right? I hope not.

This is a big game for us.
Girardi starts off every interview with that statement since before the All-Star game. Sometimes he says it's a big series or a big homestand, but the message is the same: Win Every Game. Maybe he's putting too much pressure on his players. George Steinbrenner eventually found out that that philosophy didn't work. 

Tell your statistics to shut up. 
The ESPN experts have picked their top 100 players of all time. Check out these lifetime numbers
.325 batting average, 361 homers, 2200 hits, 1537 RBIs in a 13 year career.  Pretty good numbers, but Hall of Fame category? I don't think so and I don't think he should have been #15 on the all time list. Who was it? Joe DiMaggio.  (My Dad would kill me)

Strong rumor. 
According to Fox Sports, the Yankees are close to trading Aroldis Chapman. He's a game changer if not a post season giant. Teams interested (that we know of) are Washington, San Fran, Cleveland and the Cubs, all teams in first place. It makes sense that they'd be interested. The Yanks will get a lot but not as much as they'd get for Miller, who's locked in for two more years at reasonable money. Chapman is a 2-month rental.

Oh Yeah?
For any of you who don't believe that cheerleaders are athletes, check out this picture from  RJ Currie's blog.
https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jg6XLHw1lGE/V4-c-64UDjI/AAAAAAAAIOE/F15w7CBcueMZGoSYdAgisYHcKrYTT3pQwCLcB/s1600/wisconsin0.jpg

***THEY SAID IT***
"While competing for the Indiana Pacers, Jeff Teague will live at home with his parents. “Teague missed tonight’s game against the Celtics after being grounded by his mom."  -- Brad Dickson
"Pitcher Chris Sale was scratched and sent home from his start today following what the White Sox said was “a “non-physical clubhouse incident.” Hmm, if they trade Sales to the Nationals who have Papelbon will Washington become the first clubhouse with thermo-nuclear capability?"  -- Janice Hough

"Gisele forcing Tom Brady to get part-time job during his suspension.”  -- SportsPickel.com
"The NFL announced it will put computer chips in their game balls. So will they be GPS enabled so tracking can go from locker rooms to restrooms and beyond?"  -- Tony Chong
"There’s speculation that a T206 Honus Wagner baseball card — minted sometime between 1909 and 1911 — could fetch more than $3 million when Goldin Auctions puts it up for bid in September. And, at the opposite end of the memorabilia stock-market spectrum, Johnny Manziel Browns jerseys were reported selling in Cleveland for $1.99 — and Kevin Durant Thunder jerseys in Oklahoma City were going for 48 cents."  -- Dwight Perry

"Julia Webb set a world record for running a half-marathon while pushing her 9-month-old daughter in a baby stroller. She later thanked the person who made it all possible: her babysitter who didn’t show up."  -- Brad Dickson
" SF Giants not only got their first win in a week, they had their first lead in a game in a week.  They have now held a lead for exactly one inning since the All-Star break."  -- Janice Hough

 [Ms. Hough lives in San Franciso and is a big Giant fan. It's been a tough week for her. - CP]
"Did you see Rob Gronkowski whaling on an air guitar onstage with Paul McCartney? The receiver did such a good job at pretending to play, he was mistaken for Randy Moss."  -- RJ Currie

Finally, this quote from a very brave individual:
"Craig Sager of TNT and TBS, who has been diagnosed with terminal leukemia, blew folks away with his words in accepting the Jim Valvano Award: “I have run with the bulls in Pamplona. I have raced with Mario Andretti in Indianapolis. I have climbed the Great Wall of China. I have jumped out of airplanes over Kansas. I have wrestled gators in Florida. I have sailed the ocean with Ted Turner. I have swam the oceans in the Caribbean. And I have interviewed Gregg Popovich. Mid-game. Spurs down seven. If I’ve learned anything through all of this, it is that each and every day is a canvas waiting to be painted — an opportunity for love, for fun, for living, for learning . . . I will never give up, and I will never give in. I will continue to keep fighting, sucking the marrow out of life as life sucks the marrow out of me."

CP -  




 


 

Thursday, July 21, 2016

IS A WINNING STREAK ALWAYS GOOD?

Not in the case of the Yankees current streak. New York has 10 days left to decide if they are going to trade off some of their most valuable pieces in return for some good young prospects or stand pat and hope this aging lineup has enough in the tank to get them to the post season. It'll never happen.
This four-game streak is false hope. If history repeats itself, two steps ahead will be followed by three steps back. That's not a winning formula. Maybe this posturing to stand pat is just a ploy. "We believe we can get there with this team, so we're not selling...unless we get blown away." If they're right, by July 30th, teams will be ready to blow them away. The Chicago Cubs, for example, are one top notch closer from running away with it. And who is the top closer? Why it's Aroldis Chapman, of course. Unless it's Andrew Miller.  "Uh, Mr. Cashman, here's the deed to the farm."  Could happen.

So for the next 10 days, the rumor mill will be the most interesting stories around.

Best line of the week
While watching Oriole third baseman Ryan Flaherty hit, the Yankee broadcast crew asked their partner John "Flash" Flaherty if Ryan was any relation. Flash, a perennial bench warmer in his playing days replied, "No, no relation. The only relation is that he's batting ninth."

You can't. It's our last hope.
Joe Torre recently issued a directive telling managers NOT to argue balls and strikes, as it slows down the game and impacts the integrity of the sport.  Instant replay has all but eliminated arguments on plays in the field, so what's left? Instant replay has shown us that umpires are right over 90% of the time. However, unofficial replay by the networks show us that ball and strike calls are missed far more often. It's illegal to argue those calls, but players and managers have consistently chirped away from the dugout when an umpire has consistently made calls that disagree with their take on the pitches. Usually, both sides will complain  which tells you that maybe the umpire is wrong. The problem arises when the umpire develops "rabbit ears," and feels he has to throw someone out, which is the worst solution.  Has Torre been away from the game that long that he forgot this? 

Girardi has been turned loose 
The Yanks have to go on a huge winning streak if they are to have any chance. If they can't, Joe Girardi's job may be in jeopardy. He's actually changed the line up, going against what players have been used to, regardless of the toes he may be stepping on. Switching Gardner & Ellsbury, benching A-Rod, trusting the other pieces of the bullpen, and letting pitchers go beyond that magical 100 pitch count. I guess he figured it can't hurt anymore. As my dad used to say, "If you're gonna lose the hand, you might as well deal the cards."

Let's fix the game...even the parts that don't need it. 
The  Talk show, Mike & Mike in the Morning, recently conducted an informal poll asking fans to call in suggestions on how to improve baseball. Some suggestions were pretty good, such as two actual double headers (two games, one ticket) for each team per season. Or release managers from the idea that everybody on an all-star team HAS to play. 
Some ideas are not so great. Shorten games to seven innings. Okay, for the second game of a double header, but that's all. Or add a concession item to each ticket such as a hot dog as part of the purchase price. Ever eaten a ball park hot dog? Will teams be able to resist increasing the ticket price to cover the cost? You can't expect the Yankees to absorb the cost of the hot dog, even in $1250 seats.

The rest of the dream team 
The catcher chosen was Johnny Bench. Hard to argue that one, but the 2nd man was Josh Gibson. Probably a great player, but he never played in a major league game so it's hard to evaluate his abilities. Yogi Berra is probably a better pick.
The right handed pitcher was Walter Johnson with Pedro Martinez as #2.  Two good choices.
The lefty chosen was Sandy Koufax. Those of us who saw him pitch know this was correct. #2 was Randy Johnson. You could do worse, but other lefties would fit, too. 

Interesting facts
** Even though the Mets have a better record by two games, the Yankees are closer to first place in their respective divisions than the Mets. George Steinbrenner would be so proud.
** All five teams in the NL West are sporting losing streaks, led by the Giants 5 in a row.
** Despite the fact that they are 41/2 games out of first, the Dodgers lead all of baseball in attendance, averaging over 44,700 fans per game. Tampa Bay has the lowest, drawing a meager 16,600 per game.
** Who would have thunk it? A-Rod will DH and hit seventh today while Didi Gregorius will hit sixth. 
** The Korean All Star game featured a Bunting contest as part of the festivities. MLB players said, "Bunt? What's a bunt?

***THEY SAID IT***
"According to a new study, up to 10 elbows a day world-wide are thrown out taking selfies. Only 10? Gordie Howe would throw more elbows in practice."  -- RJ Currie
" Omaha, Neb., has landed the U.S. Olympic curling trials in 2017. Officials say the event could pump as much as another $327 into the local economy.”  -- Jim Barach
"He told me you have to play hard all the time,” minor leaguer and future Twin Miguel Sano in 2013 told the Hartford Courant. Who is “he”? Robinson Cano, apparently the same Robinson Cano who for nine seasons with the Yankees we watched jog to first base."  -- Phil Mushnick
"Christopher Correa, the St. Louis Cardinals’ former scouting director, was sentenced to 46 months in prison for breaking into the Houston Astros’ computer system to get at its player-personnel database. No hard feelings? Rumor has it that the Cards’ next game in Houston will be Hack Wilson Jersey Night."  -- Dwight Perry
" The new Kevin Durant shoes cost $150. His last pair sold for $180. The only person who can afford Kevin Durant shoes is Kevin Durant."  -- Brad Dickson
" The Big 12 is thinking of expanding in football, from 10 teams to 12. Arithmetic, what a concept."  -- Janice Hough
"Last week, in Spain, matador Victor Barrio was gored to death by a bull. What a barbaric sport! Now to the latest cage-fighting highlights."  -- Phil Mushnick
"Omaha is hosting the Olympic Curling trials. Apparently that's an athletic event."  -- Brad Dickson

CP-


 

Friday, July 15, 2016

TO SELL OR NOT TO SELL

...that is the question. Whether it is nobler in the minds of the Yankee front office to bite the bullet and sell off most of an aging and basically non-productive lineup or continue on into mediocrity until next year.
Joel Sherman, NY Post sports columnist, says the Yanks are split between buying or selling. Cashman and the rest of the baseball operations want to sell, owner Hal Steinbrenner and President Randy Levine want to hold fast. Levine, of course, is the genius who decided that $2500 was a "reasonable" price for a single ticket to a game, and that a portion of the fans who sit in the centerfield bleachers only need to see 2/3 of the field. What will happen? I believe, as Woodward & Bernstein once said, "Follow the money." 

 If you're going to do it, do it.
If the Yanks are going to do it, they have to perform well in the next 10 games. Make that very well. The Red Sox, Orioles and the SF Giants games will determine the Yanks future. All I can say is, please leave Miller and Betances alone, everyone else is fair game. 

When are they going to fix the All Star game? 
Yes, it's great to showcase all that talent and see them perform against each other, but why make the outcome so important? I've said it before: managers try to get everyone in the game even at the expense of the outcome. Under the previous rules, the starters had to play the first three innings, except in the case of an injury. Starting pitchers often pitched the maximum of three innings. Because of the roster size and only the best players were on the team regardless of their team affiliation, there was very little drop-off in talent when substitutions were made. Do that and let the winning side determine the home field advantage of the World Series. If they continue with the current system, eliminate that home field thing. How come BB Commissioner Manfred doesn't see this? 

Nobody expected this.  
What if they had an MVP-type season and then never showed up again? David Ortiz is doing just that. He may be having the best season of his career and he's calling it quits at the end of the year. He's been getting some well-deserved accolades wherever he goes and is getting gifts and mementos along with the cheers. He really can't change his mind and come back now, can he? Would he have to return all the gifts? What if he comes back and is terrible? He should continue with his retirement plan and go out on top. I mean, really on top!

I just wanna play...kinda.
A-Rod has told the Yankees that he'd be willing to play first if it would get him into the lineup. Unless, of course, they wanted him to do silly things like catch the ball. I don't know how playing first would get him into the lineup more with choices like Teixeira, Refsnyder, McCann and Headley  all better options. Why not put Rothschild out there? He's not doing the pitching staff any good.

Baseball's Dream Team.
ESPN has put their experts to work to determine the all-time best players at each position. Here's the results.
1B - Lou Gehrig (#2 Stan Musial)
2B - Rogers Hornsby (Jackie Robinson)
3B - Mike Schmidt (George Brett)
SS - Honus Wagner (Alex Rodriquez)
LF - Ted Williams (Bobby Bonds)
CF - Willie Mays (Mickey Mantle)
RF - Babe Ruth (Hank Aaron)
 Hard to argue with the choices since they were all great players. Personally, I think you should be able to stick TWO Right Fielders out there because it's really hard to choose between Ruth & Aaron. I would disagree with Jackie Robinson as the #2 choice behind Hornsby. Joe Morgan would be a better choice.
Pitchers and catchers will be announced later this weekend. It's interesting that the careers of 4 of the 7 occurred before the 1940's.

Well, we really didn't mean it.
The  Miami Marlins offered a promotion to discount their ticket prices for a specified game by one percent for every home run their superstar Giancarlo Stanton hit during the Home Run Derby. He hit 61, but when fans went online to buy their tickets, they discovered they were held to a 25% discount. The Marlins answer: The site they use to control discounts only "allows" discounts up to 25%. So the typical "Not-My-Fault" defense is still in play.

***THEY SAID IT***
"Why hasn't ESPN told Chris Berman that people can't stand him?" - Phil Mushnick
"Brock Lesnar was extensively drug tested before UFC 200. Contrast that with the WWE policy that calls for competitors to be drug tested every 10 years. And even then it doesn’t have to be your urine."  -- Brad Dickson
"In order to drum up all star votes for their third baseman Jake Lamb, the Diamondbacks brought a live lamb into the clubhouse. It's a good thing no one thought this up when Moose Skowron was playing."  -- Dwight Perry
"Las Vegas has landed an NHL team. Game tickets start at $75 with a 2-drink minimum."  -- TC Chong
" Swedish soccer referee Danny Kako said he once caught a player urinating on the pitch. If ever a guy deserved a yellow card."  -- RJ Currie
"Vince Wilfork, 6-foot-2, 325 pounds, appears naked in ESPN the Magazine’s Body Issue. Did Tommy Lasorda turn them down?"  -- Brad Dickson

"Tuesday was David Ortiz’s last All-Star game as Big Papi is retiring. The Red Sox slugger could become even more beloved if he takes Joe Buck with him."  -- Janice Hough
" Telling Bill Belichick he can’t have his starting quarterback for one-quarter of the regular season is like informing Bill Gates he’ll have to scrape by for three months with no new checks coming in. Somehow, you think he’ll manage."  -- Greg Cote
" There is already an official toilet of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. I’m just glad sport isn’t overly commercialized.”  -- Brad Dickson
"The Game Has Changed, Continued: Let the record show (fat chance) that the 2016 All-Star Game ended with an infield double play fully enabled by Rockies batter Nolan Arenado’s disinclination to run to first, where he was out by 6 feet."  -- Phil Mushnick

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/greg-cote/article89411302.html#storylink=cpy

"Olympic sponsor Coca Cola couldn’t be more pleased that the games will be held in Rio this year. They say the water around the venue is the same color as their world famous soft drink."  -- TC Chong 
"Two city employees in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain, have been collecting pay for years without working. Coincidence? Both, when caught, were wearing Bobby Bonilla jerseys."  -- Dwight Perry

"The WWE suspended wrestler Roman Reigns for 30 days. Considering you can win a WWE title by hitting a guy from behind with a folding chair, what do you have to do to get suspended?"  -- Brad Dickson

CP- 









 

Wednesday, July 06, 2016

HALF FULL OR HALF EMPTY?

We are at the halfway point in the season and while some teams are enjoying it, others can't wait till next year.
Half full
The Cubs are riding high and tho' they've hit a bit of a glitch lately, they'll be there at the end.
The Giant fans are counting on history to get them to the World Series, since this is an even year and they've won in 2010, 2012 and 2014. With a five game lead they have a good shot.
Texas has the best record in the AL and they're riding high.
Cleveland is the big surprise in the AL. Are they counting on Lebron James magic to take them all the way?
The Orioles are leading the AL East but I don't think they've got the stuff to hold off Toronto.
Half Empty
I think Minnesota, Atlanta and Cincinnati are ready to pour out the glass and go home.
The Yankees, Pirates and Mariners can't decide which side of the fence they're on. I think they're done.

Cleaning house 
The baseball pundits have traded most of the Yankee's roster away in their columns because they believe it's time for a change. I think NY will be sellers but not to the extent that some writers say. The most popular players they think will be traded are Beltran, Miller, Chapman, Gardner, McCann, Nova, Pineda and Eovaldi. Those aren't trades, that's a fire sale. The only one that I think is a mistake is Andrew Miller.

They dump managers, why not a coach?
There are five pitchers on that NY trade list. Has the Yankee brass ever considered that it might be Rothschild, the pitching coach? The pitchers start out okay but once they go bad, he never seems to be of any help. Maybe he's the one that talks Girardi into pulling the starters so quickly. If you want to trade somebody, trade him. Surely the Yankees can used a box of batting practice baseballs.
Foiled again
 Rangers pitcher Matt Bush was a first round draft pick as a shortstop in 2004. He was involved in a hit and run accident in 2012 when he hit a 72-year old motorcyclist. After spending 34 months in prison, the Rangers signed him as a pitcher. The Yankees, of course, tried to sign the 72-year old motorcyclist but couldn't come to terms.
Didn't they read the menu? 
Michael Kay keeps talking about the Yankee "table-setters," Ellsbury and Gardner. Earlier this week, twice they led off an inning by getting on base and nothing happened. They set the table but nobody's eating.
Aha, payday again!
It's July and on the first, the Mets sent another $1,190,000 check to Bobby Bonilla. Bobby's been retired since 2001, but his paycheck goes on...and will for 19 more years.
It's been done...and then some
The Cubs have their entire infield as the starters in this years All Star game, only the second time in history. The 1963 St. Louis Cardinals did it first. If that impresses you, how about this:
In 1957, the Cincinnati Reds fans elected seven of their players to the National League starting lineup, graciously allowing Stan Musial to win the first base job. Commissioner Ford Frick investigated the voting and found that a Cincinnati newspaper printed up pre-marked ballots and distributed them with their newspaper. He then disqualified Wally Post and Gus Bell and replaced them with two fairly decent players, Willie Mays and Hank Aaron. Didn't matter, the American League won 6-5.

***THEY SAID IT***
"Indians third baseman Juan Uribe — sidelined for five days after a bad-hop ground ball left him with a testicular contusion — hit home runs in each of his first four games back. Hey, don’t laugh: It’s certainly cheaper than steroids."  -- Dwight Perry
"Joey Chestnut won the Nathan’s contest with a record of 70 hot dogs today. Who says we need to “Make America Great” again? We still rule in our national sport – eating."  -- Janice Hough
"Congrats to Las Vegas on getting a NHL Franchise. Single game tickets start at $75 each and a 2 drink minimum."  -- TC Chong 
"In a game against Kansas City, Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright almost hit a bird with a pitch. This was the first baseball bench-clearing brawl led by PETA."  -- Brad Dickson
"ESPN the Mag Body Issue: spoiler alert!  If I want to see 6-foot-2, 325-pound Vince Wilfork sprinting naked, I’ll go into the Houston Texans’ locker room after a game next season and pull the fire alarm.”  -- Scott Osler
"Suspended tennis star Maria Sharapova is taking part in a two-week program at Harvard Business School. Though classmates say hearing a loud grunt in the middle of a pop quiz certainly takes some getting used to."  -- Dwight Perry
"Speaking on the death of Tennessee coaching icon Pat Summitt: “If they didn’t have a women’s basketball team in heaven, they do now. And practice starts tomorrow at 9 a.m., sharp.”  -- Janice Hough
"The College World Series lasted two full weeks. Or, as that’s called in the NBA playoffs, “the fourth quarter.”  -- Brad Dickson
"Jockey Chris Meehan, racing in Merano, Italy, got kicked in the face — breaking his nose and gashing his jaw — after he fell from his mount, then the ambulance that came to treat his injuries somehow backed over him, breaking his leg.  Lucky thing he didn’t ask what the trifecta was."  -- Dwight Perry 
"I don’t think all Nebraskans fully understand the swimming competition taking place at the pool. One family from out-state arrived with fishing gear."  -- Brad Dickson
 "Quarterback Andrew Luck of the Indy Colts signed a $140M six-year contract. It’s an NFL record, as Luck would have it."  -- RJ Currie

CP-