Monthly Archives: January 2010
More On The Masoli Case
John Canzano adds some perspective about theft allegations at the University of Oregon that might or might not involve Jeremiah Masoli. In fact, in the last five years, police have made 57 calls to the fraternity house to take reports that range from public disturbance to someone throwing bricks through a window to a second-floor […]
Blazers As Tortured Franchise
It’s OK, Blazer fans, Bill Simmons feels your pain. In examining the Vikings’ epic loss to the Saints in the NFC Championship Game, the ESPN.com columnist revisits his Levels of Losing and ranks the 15 most tortured franchises in sports. The Blazers come in at No. 13. People in Portland are irrational about the Blazers […]
Great Blazers And All-NBA Teams
Nice column by Brian T. Smith today, arguing that Brandon Roy eventually will rank as the greatest of all Blazers. Which led to an interesting follow-up discussion here and here. Smith wasn’t suggesting that Roy is the greatest Blazer; only that he will be. But in thinking about the greatest Blazer and the history of […]
Better Watch Out For Flying Pigs Today
Not a lot of surprises on the list of reserves for the NBA All-Star Game. Brandon Roy is there. Kevin Durant is there. But there is one name that, going into the season, I never ever ever would have expected to see in an All-Star Game. Zach Randolph finally is an All-Star. And why not? […]
Baseball Player Hears A Calling
Interesting story in the past week about Grant Desme, a top prospect in the Oakland A’s organization who is quitting baseball to begin studying for the priesthood. And it reminded me of a local athlete I wrote about a couple years ago. I caught an interview of Desme on Dan Patrick’s show, and one thing […]
Stay Classy, Oregon
Nobody is confirming or denying it at this point, but doesn’t the silence surrounding Jeremiah Masoli and accusations of theft sound damning? Masoli’s name has been connected with a theft on the University of Oregon campus. It’s been on TV and some newspapers, although The Associated Press hasn’t picked up the story. That’s because Eugene […]
Inside Baseball: Felix and The Verducci Effect
Sunday’s column was a further look at the Mariners’ signing of Felix Hernandez for five years. Which led one reader to bring up the interesting specter of the Verducci Effect. The Verducci Effect is named for Sports Illustrated writer Tom Verducci. He identified the fact that young pitchers who have an increase of 30 innings […]
Future Of The Seahawks
Tim Martinez, assistant Sports editor of The Columbian, brought up a great point about new Seahawks coach Pete Carroll. Isn’t Carroll — the guy charged with turning the Seahawks into contenders, with molding a new franchise through guile and moxie and the ability to evaluate and then teach players — isn’t he the same guy […]
Mark McGwire, Reality Star?
In addition to being a Hall of Fame pitcher, Ferguson Jenkins might have a future as a TV executive. Here’s a story from The Associated Press: NEW YORK — Ferguson Jenkins says Mark McGwire owes an apology to all those pitchers who gave up his home runs. The Hall of Fame ace sent an open […]
Is Felix Hernandez Worth It?
The Mariners reportedly are close to signing Felix Hernandez for five years and $78 million. Hernandez is one of the most valuable properties in baseball, and it is important for Seattle to keep him. But there is no way that signing any pitcher to a five-year deal is a wise investment. Hernandez went 19-5 with […]