ns Page 1896 - Sports News, Headlines & Highlights

ESPN President's Memo: Support The Troops; Also, We're Firing People
Below is a memo from ESPN president John Skipper, sent companywide just before the Memorial Day weekend and forwarded to us by a Bristol tipster. "This is the only communication we've received from upper management this week that mentions the layoffs," our tipster writes. Happy Memorial Day!...

Down on the Corner, Out in the Street
From the SI Vault, check out Gil Rogin's 1964 story, "Confessions of a Stoop Ball Champion":...

Indy 500 Fans Passed Out, Puking In The Back Of A Moving Truck
The Indianapolis 500 isn't just about the racing; it's also about drinking toxic levels of alcohol, and getting thrown in the back of a pickup truck like so much drunk lumber....

The Last American Hero
And since we're talking classics, how 'bout Tom Wolfe's 1965 Esquire story on Junior Johnson? ...

MLB Network Is Just Inventing New Statistics Now
If only my dog could shit with at least a .275 average....

Back On The Pony: Recovering Fatass Soundtrack
I'm saying I got back on the pony because calling what I did "getting back on the horse" is an insult to horses. Anyway, there is a mini-playlist that we will get to for your enjoyment and then next week, I am back on the horse, for real. We don't need this turning into Relapsing Fatass Soundtrack. ...

A Wisconsin Festival Claims A Record Bratwurst Because Of Course
The Midwesternest piece of Memorial Day Weekend news has broken, and it is that the self-proclaimed World's Largest Brat Fest has achieved its destiny by grilling and bunning perhaps the world's largest brat....

Arjen Robben Carries FC Bayern To Champions League Glory
Bayern Munich just knocked off German rivals Borussia Dortmund, 2-1, in the Champions League final after Bayern winger Arjen Robben scored in the 89th minute to win the match. It was maybe the best possible end to an action-packed match that was open and free-flowing from the opening whistle. It was...

College Hoops Coach Who Made Players Run Until One Pooped Keeps Job
University of Wisconsin—Green Bay men's basketball coach Brian Wardle made news last month when it got out that he may have made his players run hills so much that one of his players, Ryan Bross, shat his pants, and that he may have then proceeded to heckle the poor pants-shitter all season long. ...

Trope-Recycling Bill Simmons Has Bill Simmons Syndrome
Bill Simmons this week mused on the fate of Dwight Howard, who appears to be the NBA's equivalent of plutonium: a potential world-beater but perilously radioactive. To characterize the gap between Perceived Dwight Howard and Actual Dwight Howard, the founder of Grantland and ESPN spittling-head did ...

Now That's What I Call Saving Face
We're scoreless at the half. Let this be your open thread....

Europa League Champions Will Qualify For Champions League
UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino announced yesterday that the winners of the Europa League will qualify for the Champions League starting in the 2015/2016 season. ...

Hawk Completely Melts Down About This Blown Double Play Call
Chicago White Sox announcer Ken "Hawk" Harrelson was obviously a little high-strung yesterday when Chicago had bases loaded in the bottom of the 10th with one out against the lowly Marlins. When umpire Angel Hernandez called White Sox batter Alex Rios out at first base to complete the double play an...

Yep, The L.A. Media Is <em>Still</em> Confused By The City's Hockey Team
Man, that was close. Just when we were starting to think we'd get through an entire NHL season without a Kings-related screw-up from the Los Angeles media, Fox 11's Liz Habib rides to the rescue....

Here's A Very 1990s Photo Of A Young Joe Mauer
The Twins' catcher already looked like an all-star in this undated photo taken in front of the St. Paul, Minn., house where he grew up—and not because he was holding a basketball trophy....

NESN Reports <em>SportsPickle</em> Satire About Brian Urlacher As News
Yesterday satirical sports website SportsPickle published an amusing story on Brian Urlacher's retirement, claiming the Bears linebacker was retiring but signing a one-day contract with the Packers so he could "go out a winner." Today, while broadcasting coverage of the ACC baseball tournament, NES...

Here Are The Best States To Be A Transgender High School Athlete
As reported by the Times earlier this month, new legislation in California could make that state the first to legally guarantee the rights of transgender high school athletes. California has already joined a group of more than half a dozen states with school policies that allow transgender athletes ...

Why You're Still A Fan, Despite All The Crap: A Look Inside Your Brain
Adapted from The Secret Lives of Sports Fans: The Science of Sports Obsession....

The Straw That Stirs the Drink
Check out Robert Ward's infamous 1977 Sport magazine story about Buck Tater: "Reggie Jackson in No-Man's Land."...

This Is How You Sign A Picture Of Ray Lewis Trying To Tackle You
This comes to us from reader Andrew, whose friend received this autographed photo from former Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Pete Mitchell. I doubt Mitchell signed too many autographs throughout his eight-year career, but it looks like when he did get the opportunity to do so, he made it count....