As for the other side of Manchester...I got a chuckle watching Brentford play giant killer against Man United. 4-zip after the first half hour.
Truly awful defending, and that included DeGea, who's usually solid in goal. All this from a club with more than ten times the payroll of Brentford.
Ever since Alex Ferguson retired as manager they've been on a long decline, and with Liverpool up next there's no relief in sight. How the mighty have fallen.
@Crimsonorblue22 As long as we're talking about "young kids," apparently I missed the news about the off-season retirement of the once highly touted local phenom Bubba Starling, who just celebrated his "milestone" 30th birthday.
As someone who just celebrated a milestone birthday myself (more like a millstone in my case), I'd wondered whether the Royals had just given up on him and let him languish in Omaha. What ended his career? Injuries? Weak hitting/fielding? All of the above?
@AsadZ The young'uns sure looked impressive Wednesday night. Glad they got to do it on a national TV platform. With no pressure on them, I can see the Royals doing some damage to a few teams' playoff hopes.
Also good to see them knock the well-traveled Mr. Cueto out of the game.
Speaking of well-traveled ex-Royals, Carlos Santana hit a two-run homer to beat the Yanks Wednesday. (Benintendi struck out in his only at bat.)
Watched some of the opening weekend. Was surprised at how poor Liverpool looked.
I don't really follow any particular EPL team; mostly I root for or against managers, and I always appreciate a good underdog club.
I do have a soft spot for Wolverhampton. Back in the late '60s they represented Kansas City in a summer tournament sponsored by the old NASL. Each franchise had a (lower-division) English club play for them in a round-robin Cup competition. The KC Spurs had Wolves as their representatives, who went on the win the Cup.
Unfortunately the Spurs went out of business the following year despite being one of the top teams in the league. By their last season they'd been reduced to playing in a high school stadium. Still, I enjoyed them while they were around. I even got to be a ball boy for a couple of their games. And I saw Pele play a friendly match with his club Santos against KC on the Fourth Of July! (Still have the ticket stub somewhere...)
I'm saddened to hear the news of Bill Russell's passing.
As a youth I'd always root against him whenever his Celtics played Wilt Chamberlain's Philly teams, but I never doubted Russell's superior skills as a defender, rebounder and all-around great player. It wasn't until much later that I realized that he was an even greater human being, as he fought for racial equality and human rights, often in the face of vicious hostility.
And as for Wilt, I came to find out that the two of them were good friends later in life, despite a falling out that lasted a number of years.
When I moved to Seattle many years ago I discovered that he was already established in the community as a mentor to younger players and coaches. I never got to meet the man, though I'd see him once in a while at games and events around town. The closest I got was when I worked briefly for a company where he had an office. Unfortunately our paths never crossed. Just as well...I would have been tongue-tied if I ever did meet him.
What a player. What a man of substance. What a legend.
And I'll never forget that laugh.
Rest well, Mr. Russell. You were a winner on and off the court.
As a Big 12 (nee Big 8) grad who lives in Pac-12 (nee Pac-8) country, it's interesting to watch fans in each conference badmouth the other.
I'm hearing exactly the same rhetoric from both sides..."How dare we lower ourselves by taking in schools from THAT conference. They don't compare to the teams in OUR league." The truth is that both conferences are "walking wounded" after they lost their sugar daddy schools.
Personally I'd like to see more cooperation and less backbiting. Let's face it, there's a reason that the Big 10 and SEC didn't come calling for the others: The dollar bill. And the Notre Dame situation makes it even more unlikely that any of the have-nots will join the two majors. The sooner the larger left-behind schools figure this out and start making the best of the situation, the better.
This recalls the bad old days of the Kansas City Athletics.
From Bill James' essay "A History Of Being A Kansas City Baseball Fan" from his 1986 Baseball Abstract (later reprinted in a book called "Lets Not Eat The Bones"):
"Arnold Johnson, the first owner of the Kansas City Athletics, was a business associate and close friend of Del Webb, co-owner of the Yankees. Apparently believing that the way to make money in the outlands was as a supplier of talent to the wealthier organizations. Johnson funnelled talent to the Yankees in a long series of three-for-one and five-for-two trades....the pinstripe pipeline rubbed the city at a raw spot, the rawest spot Johnson could have found. With every KC/New York trade the protests grew louder, the bitterness in them grew sharper."
James goes on to list all the A's who ended up in New York, including Roger Maris, Bud Daley, Bob Cerv (who once held the KC home run record), Clete Boyer and Ralph Terry.
"...The certain facts are that: (1) The A's were a bad team, (2) They traded all of their best players to the Yankees, and (3) After that, they were a worse team."
Some things never change, luxury tax or no.
"Them that's got shall have, them that's not shall lose, So the Bible says, and it still is news."
---Billie Holiday, "God Bless The Child"
@jayballer67 On top of that, Evans looks like a dead ringer for David Ruffin of The Temptations ! (Hope he turns out better than David did.)
https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/best-david-ruffin-songs/ ↗
@AsadZ Expect to see Carlos getting fewer at-bats, as more regular starters come off the injured list. Last week he only had six ABs, mostly as a pinch-hitter or DH.
Like I figured, the Astros did a number on the M's over the weekend, sweeping the series in Seattle. It didn't help that phenom Julio Rodriguez missed the series due an injury he suffered the game before the All Star break. (Turns out he hit all those dingers in the Home Run Derby with a sore wrist !)
The M's have to go back to Houston next weekend, plus six with the Yankees in the next two weeks. Ouch ! Talk about a gauntlet. Fortunately the schedule gets a lot easier after that with a bunch of games against sub-500 teams.
When Buck failed to get in last time, the argument was that his numbers as a player weren't up to the level of other contemporary Negro League greats. But he should've at least gone in as a "contributor" to the game. A 100% Goodwill Ambassador for baseball. Even today it's hard to hear his name without smiling.
(And for wissox, a tip o' the cap to Minnie Minoso. )
A Hall Of Famer at last. About damn time !!!
Those major sporting events in Europe are almost impossible to avoid hearing about because of the time difference. Wimbledon, the Open Championship, Tour de France, Grand Prix races...they're all 8 or 9 hours early here. And as someone who regularly follows English Premier League soccer, I end up screwing up my sleep schedule just to watch the occasional game live instead of catching the streamed replay later. (It was a lot worse when I was still working !)
@wissox said in No matter what team you pull for:
@nwhawkfan You guys haven't lost since you wrote that!
Yeah, the town has gone Mariners-crazy over the past week or so, especially since Julio Rodriguez had his national coming-out party at the Home Run Derby. Tonight and tomorrow's games are sold out.
M's will have their hands full this weekend...the Astros are in town. No way we make up that 10-game deficit in the division. Looking okay for a wild card spot, though.
@bskeet said in Big 12 Expansion:
@Kcmatt7 I think Oregon is not the top P12 target because the market (Portland) is smaller than than the Bay Area, Seattle, Phoenix and Denver.
Not saying it's right. Just saying that everything about what's going on seems to be best explained through the lens of money/revenue.
Oregon is not to be ignored, just because of two words: Phil Knight (aka Mr. Nike). His money alone will keep the athletic program in good shape no matter where the Ducks end up. (Check out the world Track & Field championships this week on TV. That shiny new track stadium they just built is nearly all due to his money. ) He is to Oregon athletics what Boone Pickens was/is to Okie State.
As our estranged friend Jaybate once noted, those sneaker bucks and Nike's national profile speak volumes.
@Kcmatt7 said in Big 12 Expansion:
@drgnslayr It sounds like the TV market for the B12 is better than most were expecting.
And then it sounds like Notre Dame is looking to secure an insane TV deal, and if they do they'll remain an independent (for now).
To me, that puts a pause on the B10 trying to poach anyone else. And I think it will allow the B12 to go after UW and Oregon first. But I have to wonder how the politics behind the scenes change that. Without knowing the structure of the BOR in each state, will they let Oregon leave without taking OSU? Can Washington leave without taking WSU?
If you HAVE to take the "State" schools with Washington and Oregon, is that a better or worse package than AZ, ASU, CU and Utah?
Sitting at 12 right now, I think the smart move is to try and get 6 of the Pac12 schools. It would work out a pretty reasonable 2 division system of 9 schools on each side. 6 Pac12 schools plus Tech, BYU and KSU make up the West. The rest to the East.
That probably screws TTU and KSU a little bit with travel, but better to be traveling making P5 money than Mountain West...
Not 100% absolutely sure, but I haven't seen any state requirement that Washington and Washington State have to be bound together in a move to any new conference. State politics here is such that most of the power is on the western side of the mountains, leaving WSU supporters scrambling. Don't know about Oregon, but I think it's similar.
The Seattle and Portland TV markets (#11 and #22 respectively) are much larger than Pullman/Spokane and Corvallis. And in terms of academics (remember those?), UW and U of O are well above their land-grant school counterparts at WSU and OSU. Both factors make them much more attractive to other conferences.
What a great lifetime of stories from, as you said, a great man. Hope those memories help sustain you and your family in the months and years to come.
@Kcmatt7 said in No matter what team you pull for:
@nwhawkfan said in No matter what team you pull for:
Much as I hate to see the Royals have another lousy season, at least they've been in two World Series in the last decade.
A big Thank You to Dayton and Picollo for trading Carlos Santana to the Mariners. It took a while, but he's finally starting to come around. Two HRs today and three in two days to help sweep Toronto. Definitely past his prime, but he looks like a good piece of the puzzle. A veteran who can be a clubhouse presence for a young team.
Also good to send the annoying Blue Jay fans back across the border without a W. Definitely NOT the stereotypical "nice Canadians"...more like drunks at a hockey game. A friend who's a longtime usher at the ballpark says they're by far the worst visiting fans she's seen.
M's now tied for the last wild card spot just before the All-Star break. (Never thought I'd be typing these words two weeks ago.) About time they broke the playoff drought, now at 21 seasons and counting.
I could not imagine being an Ms fan. Literally pumping out HOFers like it is nothing but winning nothing for it.
Fans here are getting pretty tired of the M's management living off the heyday of the '95 playoff team and the 2001 116-win team. Until their recent winning streak, the prevailing emotion was somewhere between disgust and apathy.
The other night I went to a game at their Class-A minor league affiliate, and they actually had a bunch of impersonators dressed up as players from the '95 squad (Randy Johnson, Jay Buhner, Edgar Martinez, etc.) The kids went up to them asking for autographs, not knowing they were bogus "players." That kind of thing happens when an entire generation of fans hasn't seen playoff baseball. Pretty pathetic.
Much as I hate to see the Royals have another lousy season, at least they've been in two World Series in the last decade.
A big Thank You to Dayton and Picollo for trading Carlos Santana to the Mariners. It took a while, but he's finally starting to come around. Two HRs today and three in two days to help sweep Toronto. Definitely past his prime, but he looks like a good piece of the puzzle. A veteran who can be a clubhouse presence for a young team.
Also good to send the annoying Blue Jay fans back across the border without a W. Definitely NOT the stereotypical "nice Canadians"...more like drunks at a hockey game. A friend who's a longtime usher at the ballpark says they're by far the worst visiting fans she's seen.
M's now tied for the last wild card spot just before the All-Star break. (Never thought I'd be typing these words two weeks ago.) About time they broke the playoff drought, now at 21 seasons and counting.
Scroll down a bit, past the "usual suspects," and you'll find a nice review of Ochai's start in the Summer League...
Media outlets in the Northwest are already reacting to the USC & UCLA departures, mostly with alarm.
Schools like Oregon and Washington (fiscally stable up to now) have a decision, according to one headline I just read: "Leave Pac-12 Or Be Content In A Declining Conference." Already some rumors have the two schools off to another league, possibly the Big 10.
One issue for any conference taking them in: the fate of the rival programs at Oregon State and Washington State, which don't have near the resources of their in-state counterparts.
(It makes one wonder how many KU fans would trade the K-State rivalry for a berth in a better conference.)
A lot of the blame for the LA schools leaving can be put on the last Pac-12 commissioner, who negotiated a terrible TV contract that put a lot of kickoff times way too late for viewers in the Eastern and Central time zones. I'm sure the Big 10 won't have them play home games at 7:30 Pacific.
@jayballer67 said in 2022-23 Non Conference Schedule:
@Texas-Hawk-10 said in 2022-23 Non Conference Schedule:
@FarmerJayhawk do you know what happened with the Gonzaga home and home series that was supposed to start this season? I don't remember seeing anything about that series being canceled or delayed.
you and me both. The last I knew /read about it was all set. Was looking forward to it - - really quiet other then seeing hear a ways back we weren't playing. Still not sur what the heck happened.
Hope that the home-and-home matchup still comes off. Maui is all well and good, but I was really looking forward to seeing them play in person in Spokane (only a five-hour drive for me).
What a great position for CB, with a solid playoff team no less !
Guess what ?
Would like to have seen Charlotte pick him up so he could play with Oubre, but I guess Cleveland's OK as long as he can get some minutes.
@Texas-Hawk-10 said in NBA draft, Jayhawk style:
@nwhawkfan said in NBA draft, Jayhawk style:
By the way, that jingle they play before each pick...is it just me, or did they "borrow" the tune from the opening of that old song "See You In September" ? Always thought they sounded the same.
"I'll be alone each and ev'ry night...While you're away don't forget to write..."
They borrowed it from the NFL Draft.
Yeah, and I wonder if either of them had to pay any royalties on that.
By the way, that jingle they play before each pick...is it just me, or did they "borrow" the tune from the opening of that old song "See You In September" ? Always thought they sounded the same.
"I'll be alone each and ev'ry night...While you're away don't forget to write..."
@Texas-Hawk-10 Surprised me too. It seemed like that just snowballed in the last day or two. Until then it looked like he'd go behind Smith and Holmgren.
My eyes are still recovering from that bright purple outfit Paolo Banchero has on. He says it's a tribute to his folks.
His mom starred at the U of Washington, where she still holds some career records. Got to see her play a few games for the Huskies when she was known as Rhonda Smith. Wished he'd stayed in town to play a year at U Dub instead of Duke, but eyerybody knew he'd get more national pub playing for Coach K instead of a middling Pac-12 program.
@jayballer67 said in New Guys Arriving:
@Gorilla72 said in New Guys Arriving:
@jayballer67 - Very good! “Jailbreak” album, I believe, but probably on others.
oh ya I remember I had that one - -those were the days
What a great single. When the album came out I was working at a Top 40 station in Topeka...my first DJ gig out of college. Never got tired of the song even though we played it at least once or twice a night. It's a shame that lead singer Phil Lynott died way too young (36)...anther drug casualty.
Former KU quarterback Jake Heaps has just moved to Denver to join Russell Wilson as his personal coach. He'd been working with Wilson the past few years at the QB Academy that Wilson runs, while doing his "day job" as co-host at a sports talk radio station in his native Seattle.
I've always found it strange that a guy who couldn't stick in college (let alone the NFL) is working with one of the league's top QBs. I guess it's like all those journeyman baseball catchers who couldn't hit above the Mendoza line but end up as successful managers.
Some can play, others can coach.
The manager of the Wales national team just resigned today. Ryan Giggs, the one-time Manchester United star, is facing domestic assault charges. His assistant took charge of the team in their last few games. Hard to tell how all of this will affect the USMNT in group play, but it ought to at least remove that possible distraction for the Welsh side.
https://www.espn.com/soccer/wales-wal/story/4688788/ryan-giggs-steps-down-as-wales-manager/ ↗
Interesting developments for Gary at the '22 US Open. He shot another round under par Saturday, his second of the tournament, on a day when the leaders either fell back or spun their wheels.
His game was all over the place, with an eagle, three birdies and four bogeys (three of those in his first three holes). Still, he's only five shots back, in a tie for 11th going into the final round. By far his best outing in a major since his Open win three years ago.
Noticed that another Topeka golfer made the field, Andrew Beckler from Washburn. He got into the tournament as a qualifier, but missed the cut by six strokes.
Not a bad day overall. Another Jayhawk gets an NBA title. My two favorite cities both get World Cup games in '26.
Heck, Gary Woodland even shot under par in his first round at the U.S. Open ! (Though he did blow a gimme putt on his last hole.)
Time for a nightcap y'all! RCJH !
Well, I'm not too upset he didn't get series MVP. Not quite as good offensively, but tonight he did it with defense.
I'm guessing that he'll gladly trade that MVP award for a ring.
Just call him Andrew "The Missing Ingredient" Wiggins. WARRIORS WIN THE TITLE !!!
Good start to my afternoon...Kansas City and Seattle both get named as host cities for the 2026 World Cup ! The USMNT's youth movement should by coming into its own by then. As for this year, I'll be happy if we make it out of our group.
WOW - What a night for Mr. W and the rest of the Dubs! Another stellar performance in Game 5. 26 points, 13 rebounds. On a night when Steph made as many three pointers as a dead guy. One win away from the title.
If Andrew doesn't get Finals MVP, well, there's something else that Congress can investigate...
@jayballer67 said in Well just glad to be back:
@Gorilla72 said in Well just glad to be back:
Glad you’re back!
Thanks Gorilla feels really good to be back. Can't sit for very long but one day at a time right ? lol
Great to have you back in the fold. I've already got two friends rehabbing from spinal surgery, so I'm no stranger to your situation. Too much of this stuff going around. Get better soon !
Great news. Too bad his middle name isn't something like "Samuel" or "Steven" or something that starts with an "S", instead of Timothy.
Then his initials would be...U - S - A !
And there you have it. Wiggins and the Dubs advance to the NBA Finals. Warriors 120, Dallas 110.
Yet another double-double. 18 points, 10 rebounds. He actually outscored Curry, who had 15 on an off night from the field. Klay goes for 32. All starters in double figures.
Now they wait for Boston and Miami to get done beating each other up.
Don't know what was funnier, Luka's dive or Charles Barkley showing up at the TNT set on a horse.
Reminds me of that saying...something about "Chuck (U) and the horse you rode in on."
Make that a double-double. Still, 27-11-and-3 ain't too shabby.
@KirkIsMyHinrich said in Andrew Wiggins your starting All Star forward!:
3 assists and good defense too. That was one of the best dunks I've ever seen. I literally shouted live.
Luka gets posterized, then takes a dive trying to sell an offensive foul by Wigs. LOL. Glad they went to the monitor and got the call right.
Yet another triple-double, his third of the series, with SIX offensive boards. Nice to watch the national media go gaga over him. Looks like we'll have another Jayhawk in the NBA Finals.
Philly wins again. Series tied at 2 each.
Embiid looked good, but Harden was unconscious from three down the stretch for a total of 31.
A little Jayhawk-on-Jayhawk crime in this one...Markieff Morris came into the game for a few minutes in the 3rd quarter, his first appearance in over a month. He promptly got a Wilson sandwich when Jo Jo blocked him.
Next game in Miami Tuesday. Sixers still need an away win to take the series.
Several things I appreciated about Jaybate: First, his snarky and sometimes laugh-out-loud-hilarious takes. As a history buff, I loved his arcane historical references.
Then there was the whole ShoeCo conspiracy thing. At first I thought it was way overblown. Turns out he was spot on, and maybe understating his case.
Finally, his most famous quote. "No malice." Kinda kept us from taking things too seriously.
He's back ! Sixers win by 20. Jo Jo with 18 points, 11 rebounds in his return. Harden got 17 and the other starters stepped up.
Cool mask. Willis Reed meets Zorro.
Yet another injury, at the worst possible time. You have to wonder what Doc Rivers was thinking when he kept Embiid on the court that late in a blowout.