By Thomas Chambers

Sitting in the luxe (not, but decent) Shalimar OTB in Indio, California with Mother, I commented on a prohibitive favorite at Hollywood Park.
“Typical, that’s a Baffert horse.”
“I don’t like him,” Emily said.
“Why not?”
“There’s just something about him, the way he looks. I don’t trust him. I just don’t like him.”
With that kind of years-ago intuition that you can take to the bank, I’ve been wary ever since. And admittedly, still with one-quarter blinkers on.

Read More

Posted on May 13, 2021

By Roger Wallenstein

Why in the world would you ever walk Yasmani Grandal? Why not have the opposition simply plant a batting tee at home plate, place a ball atop the contraption, and ask the White Sox catcher, “Mr. Grandal, how’s that? A little higher or lower? Would you like us to bring the tee a bit closer to you? Maybe a bit more toward the outside corner?”
Rather than issuing yet another base on balls, at least the fielders would have a chance to get the guy out.
Perhaps I need to back up a bit. Grandal, who went 0-for-4 Sunday with three strikeouts in the Sox 9-3 win in Kansas City, has registered three hits in 47 at bats in his last 18 games, dating back to April 7. Check the calendar. That’s more than a month ago and computes to a .064 batting average.
Dylan Cease, one of the club’s starting pitchers and a battery mate of Grandal’s, never had batted in a major league game until last Tuesday when he collected three hits including a rousing double off the right field wall in Cincinnati. Cease probably will pitch in a National League park before the season ends, but for right now, in one afternoon he equaled Grandal’s hit production for an entire month.

Read More

Posted on May 10, 2021

By Jim Coffman and Steve Rhodes

Don’t go near him! Plus: Cubs Might Be Forced To Keep Kris Bryant; The Rest Of The Bears Draft Not So Great; and more!

Read More

Posted on May 7, 2021

By Arizton Advisory & Intelligence

The fantasy sports market is expected to grow at approximately 14% during the period 2020−2026, according to a new report.
Key Report Highlights:
* Global fantasy sports market expected to witness an absolute growth of around 120% between 2020 to 2026 with an incremental growth of over $1 billion.
* The growing demand for improving online gaming infrastructure and the rise in application-based user experience is expected to boost the fantasy cricket market, which is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 13% during the forecast period.
* Owing to the popularity of the sport in the biggest fantasy sports market in the world, American football has been able to draw a significant audience. North America is expected to record an incremental revenue of around $539 million during 2020-2026 in the football fantasy sports segment.

Read More

Posted on May 6, 2021

By Roger Wallenstein

Bobby Winkles, who managed the Angels and A’s after winning three College World Series in the ’60s with Arizona State, used to tell the story about Nolan Ryan when the Hall of Famer was pitching for the Angels.
Seems that Ryan was tiring in the late innings of a close game when Winkles went to the mound to make a change. Before handing the ball to his manager, Ryan said, “You mind if I ask you a question?”
“No, of course not,” replied Winkles, who had great respect and admiration for one of the game’s all-time greats, especially since he won 21 games for Winkles’ club in 1973 while striking out 383 batters.
“Would you rather have a tired Nolan Ryan face the next hitter or that guy warming up in the bullpen?” deadpanned Ryan.

Read More

Posted on May 3, 2021

By Thomas Chambers

They ran a race and nobody got hurt, so that’s something.
Class willed out as Medina Spirit gave trainer Bob Baffert his record seventh Kentucky Derby victory. Earlier in the day, his Gamine gave him a record-breaker for Grade I wins, after the horse was reinstated to an Oaklawn victory from last year that was drug-disputed by what Baffert called “uncontrollable environmental factors.” It never ends.
After Medina’s Derby win, even Baffert seemed blasé, as if to say “HA! Chumps” as he walked to the winner’s circle.

Read More

Posted on May 2, 2021

By Thomas Chambers

There’s an old joke in horse racing.
“Who’s going to win (the Derby)?”
“Nobody.”
The 2021 Road to the Roses has been more like Halsted Street on a Saturday morning. Where you also try to weave your way around the slow drivers.
Few horses have hit two green lights in a row and favorites have gotten stuck behind the guy with no guts in making the left turn.
This 147th running of the Kentucky Derby (Grade I, 10 furlongs, 1-1/4 miles, $3,000,000, post 5:57 p.m. Central) will have a winner, but none of these horses, except for maybe one or two, has distinguished himself. Those runners considered leaders of the 3-year-olds just weeks ago, have either regressed or dropped out completely.

Read More

Posted on April 30, 2021

By Jim Coffman and Steve Rhodes

After miracle move, Matt Nagy now on the clock. Plus: Tony La Russa’s Apology Tour; Cubs’ Giggly Garbage; Thank You, Andrew Shaw; Blackhawks, Bulls Going Out With Whimpers; Loyola’s Leavers; Ramblers Women Score First Tourney Goal; Red Stars Lose Challenge; Fire May Or May Not Have Played Since Last Time We Talked; Broadcast Blues; and Aiding And Abetting.

Read More

Posted on April 30, 2021

By David Rutter

Memories can be an enemy. Their distortions often defeat us.
We ended the Vietnam War because America rose up to hate it. We all know that. Except that’s not exactly true. Many Americans loved that war – or at least supported it – through much of its duration. Just as many of us still loved Richard Nixon on the day he boarded Marine I and flew away into permanent disgrace.
Even as the Founding Fathers were expelling the British in 1776, just as many colonists were Tories who backed the king. Eighty thousand fled to Canada to escape the Patriots’ outrage and murderous mobs.
We are a nation of too many murderous mobs.
But Tories did not get to write the history books.

Read More

Posted on April 28, 2021

By Beth Clarkson, Alex Culvin and Ali Bowes/The Conversation

Within 72 hours of announcement, the European Super League (ESL) was killed. It was a testament to the power of fans and a reminder that soccer isn’t just about the interest of owners but a game for all.
While much talk has centered on the men’s game, in the breakaway league’s initial statement it was announced that “As soon as practicable after the start of the men’s competition, a corresponding women’s league will also be launched, helping to advance and develop the women’s game.”
The failure of the ESL and its women’s game is a lucky swerve. If it had gone ahead, women’s football would have been being caught up in global football politics and ultimately being held back in its development, contrary to the ESL’s statement.

Read More

Posted on April 27, 2021