im Page 831 - Sports News, Headlines & Highlights
Another Reason To Scrap The NBA's Age Rule: It's Probably Illegal
Here, via New York employment lawyer Louis Pechman, is yet another sensible argument against the NBA's minimum-age rule: It violates state discrimination laws....
Book Excerpts That Don't Suck: <em>Strokes of Genius</em>
Sports Illustrated's Jon Wertheim uses the 2008 Wimbledon final to reflect on Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and their rivalry, begetting "the greatest tennis match every played," the 2008 Wimbledon Final. Buy it here, if you're feeling frisky....
Jimmy Johnson: A Lovable Scamp Just Dancing Through Life
KSK spotlights this Le Batard column detailing the silver-haired coach's quest to live life like a Jimmy Buffet song. Pirate party next week at JJ's! [KSK]...
French Open Idiot Has Done This Many, Many Times Before
The man's name is "Jimmy Jump" and he fancies himself some sort of professional shit-stirrer at sporting events. He has his own website, actually and solicits donations from people to help support his "funny antics." [Jimmy Jump (HT:Bill R)]...
No Wonder These Nicknames Weren't Used
The Toronto Tarantulas, Vancouver Mounties, Baltimore Marauders, New York Borros, Washington Sea Dogs, San Antonio Gunslingers, Florida Flamingoes, Orlando Juice, Charlotte Spirit, Minnesota Blue Ox — it's a shame these throwbacks don't exist. [WSJ]...
Fencing: "The Reason Guns Were Invented"
"Did you ever watch the Olympics and wonder what it would be like to put on that dashing, all-white fencer's uniform... and actually know what to do when the referee says, 'En garde'? No, neither did I." [Slate]...
Weezy Drops A Beat For Phelps
Lil Wayne's newest track, "No Quitter, Go Getter," begins: "Michael Phelps, this is for you, baby." He's heard that one before. [Jersey Chaser]...
All's Well That Ends Well With @TonyLaRussa (Update)
An unspecified Twitter loss is Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation's gain, which means that Twitter parodies are not only funny, but also save the world. Or at least the cuter part of it....
Didn't Jackie Robinson Play Baseball?
"Topps announced on Wednesday that it would add sports pioneer Jackie Robinson to its forthcoming Magic football set... with stylings remniscent of its 1951 set of the same name." Who knew Magic wasn't that creepy witchcraft game? [Beckett Blog]...
Jim Bowden’s (Extremely Brief) Return To Respectability
Jim Bowden, the disgraced ex-Nationals GM, stands accused of stealing ballplayers' bonus money. The team he built is on pace to lose 118 games. Naturally, ESPN wanted to hire him....
Economists Confirm That NBA Referees Are Biased
An academic study concludes that NBA zebras "tend to favor home teams, teams trailing in a game and teams trailing in a playoff series." Also, the team getting 10 points when Tim Donaghy is involved. [Oregonian]...
New Sport Alert: Lithuanian Baby Racing
Combines all the melodrama and excitement of turtle racing, frog racing, or cricket racing but add Lithuanian babies. And their wacky, stuffed-animal waving parent-coaches. It's still not as electrifying as Spanish baby jumping, though. [Major League Jerk]...
A Portrait Of The Columnist As A Young Virgin
Long before John Rocker offered him his thoughts on New York City transit, SI.com columnist Jeff Pearlman was a rosy-cheeked collegian who was more than happy to share his sexual habits with the world....
Our Band Can Beat Up Your Jocks
Some science egghead says that marching band is just as difficult as football: "You get a level of competition and athleticism that is equal to a Division I athletic program." Someone should give that guy a wedgie. [Reuters]...
John Sterling Still Struggling To Learn Yankees Lineup
"Voice of the Yankees" (as long as you don't own a TV) John Sterling has a made another memorable home run call. Mostly because he used his signature Alex Rodriguez-based "catchpharse" to celebrate a dinger by Hideki Matsui....
Of Softball Coaches And Sheep Feces
Up in Maine, girls can like girls, girls can like boys and girls can like sheep, but, apparently, girls cannot haze their high school softball teams by making their players walk barefoot through sheep feces....
College Coaches Get Cozy In Iraq
Seven coaches — including Mack Brown, Jim Tressel and Rick Neuheisel — are touring the Middle East, and have learned that in Iraq, a glitzy suite is hard to find. Instead of lounging at the Ritz, they're shacking up in one of Saddam's palaces. In bunk beds. [The Zone Blitz]...
Big-Bosomed Tennis Player Urged By Larger-Bosomed Volleyball Player Not To Deflate
The ongoing mini-saga of Romanian tennis star Simona Halep's decision to have breast reduction surgery has finally found one vocal female protester. Meet Alena Schurkova, a 32E-sized professional volleyball player who has gone public with her outcry....