The Greatest

AND THEN THERE'S THIS.

Triple Crown Brown?

IF YOU MISSED THE DERBY OR THE PREAKNESS, (I missed the Preakness), here are Big Brown's performances in each. Perhaps this is the year? If so, we'll call him Triple Crown Brown.

The Derby

The Preakness

The Holy War

IT'S CALLED THE HOLY WAR, which might seem a bit pretentious, but for those who grew up there, it's the perfect moniker. Of all the rivalries I've felt or watched, there's nothing quite like it; in fact, the lede from the Wikipedia article on the topic captures the state of things quite well:

Few rivalries in collegiate athletics can match the passion and intensity of the rivalry between the University of Utah and Brigham Young University ("BYU"). Through the years, the enmity between these two schools has become so deep that fans of either side are rarely willing to concede even the slightest point, as doing so would be a detriment to their own cause. To the fans and players involved, the debate has evolved into a zero-sum game: any sort of defeat sustained by one school is claimed to be a victory for the other.

True fact, that: My two favorite teams are Utah and whoever plays BYU.

Some of this intensity comes from the natural competition of near-by schools. Some of it comes from public (Utah) v. private (BYU) school tension. Some of it comes from history: For decades Utah dominated the series, then when I was a kid, The Zoo regularly hammered the hapless Utes by margins of forty and fifty points, taking the Utes losing streak to nine years at one point (I remember wondering in high school, "Will I ever see Utah beat BYU?").  But most of it comes from cultural rivalry, with BYU being the "Mormon School" and Utah being the "Non-Mormon School" in a state in which 75% of folks are Mormon and root for the former and the remainder are not and root for the latter.

It all combines for a gridiron matchup of My Way v. Your Way for both schools, and for the Ute fans (especially the non-Mormon Ute fans who live among the Latter Day Saints) it's an annual David v. Goliath, but with statistics and instant replay.

Of course, we all know David was the good guy.

Go Utes! Beat the Zoo!

Baseball Pitch Infographics

A WONDERFUL COLLECTION of infographics that explain baseball pitches. Via Kottke.

Slider

Barca v. Rangers

FOR THOSE NEAR A TV OR TIVO today at 2:30 EST, FCBarcelona (Spain; my favorite club and the greatest lineup in the world) plays the pride of Scotland, Rangers F.C. , in UEFA Champions League action. Imagine if Boston were a country and New York were a country, and the Red Sox and Yankees, as great teams from each place, were to play in a tournament to determine the best team in the United States.

Ok, they both act like countries, and I think I just described the World Series (rather than the ALCS), but you get the point: The Champions League is an annual, several-month-long tournament to determine the best local football / soccer team in Europe. Because of it, teams that never play each other, like Barca and Rangers, do get play each other. It's like inter-league play in baseball, but for real stakes, as the champion of Europe can likely claim to be the best soccer team in the world. Should Rangers win today, expect the party in Scotland to be so grand that the nation may just break away from England and slip into the North Sea.

It's worth watching just to see Barca. It's lineup is beyond stellar. In strikers alone the team has Henry (French), Messi (Argintinian and my favorite player), Eto'o (Camaroonian), and Ronaldinho (Brazilian, and the best player in the world by most standards). Only three of these guy can play at a time, and that list doesn't even include Giovanni Dos Santos, the Mexican teen sitting in the depth chart who may soon be the world's best player. It's remarkable soccer, and will be unlike any you've ever seen if your exposure has been Major League Soccer.

I Refuse to Believe

HERE WE GO. AGAIN.

For the third consecutive year, in the final week of baseball's 162-game schedule fans of the Philadelphia Phillies find their team within striking distance of the playoffs. In this case, the Phils are one game back of the Mets with four to play. To borrow the cliche, they control their destiny.

Never a good thing with the Phils.

How many times this year, we wonder, did the Phils waste a game? The game where third-base coaching errors cost us three runs on the base paths? The game where the Nationals hit four consecutive blooper flies and overcame a six-run lead in the 8th?

Fact is, in a season that's 162 games and 183 days, every team loses a number of games it should not. The odds just work out that way. The difference with the Phillies is that we've come to expect those fluke losses. We look for them, anticipate them like the first robin or the first turning of the leaves. Except that instead of being harbingers of a change of season, they're symbols of our team's doom.

"That's the one," you'll hear us say, walking to our cars after the Phls drop a head-shaker (for texture, assume in this case it's because Charlie Manuel once again displayed just one batter too much faith in a pitcher undeserving, who then walked in the tying run and gave up the game winner on a bunt to the mound which said pitcher then threw wildly to first).

"That's the game. When we miss the playoffs by one friggin' game this year, this is the game."

One wonders, if one misses the playoffs in consecutive years by what resolves to a small set of individual mistakes in individual games, if perhaps management my try to, say, overcome this gap by crushing the vagaries of fate at baseball's margins with some overwhelming positive force. Good pitching, say. Or a bullpen.

One wonders, but one then remembers that this is the Philadelphia Phillies one is wondering about. A team owned and managed by committee. A team with over 10,000 losses. A team with one world championship in 124 years of trying.

We minted unfulfilled expectations in this town. One game back with four to play? Perfect. We're right where we like to be -- on the cusp of greatness, ready to settle back into the comfortable armchair of could-have-beens.

Me, I've been here before. I refuse to believe.

(Except, of course, that I do. I love these guys. GO PHILS!)

PITCHERS AND CATCHERS. FINALLY. The whole thing is worth reading, especially for the view it offers into the psyche of a Philadelphia fan. This closing passage from Ford's article also made me feel a bit better given the news about Chris Williams:

It is worth believing once more, though, as the calendar tells its brief, wonderful lie again this week. It is worth considering the long stately dance of a 162-game season, and anticipate the savoring of its exquisite pauses, its joyous repetitions and the breathless suspension of time as the runner rounds third in a flailing rush and the ball begins its merciless arc from right field toward home plate. What will happen?

Pitchers and catchers. February 15. This time for sure.

SPEAKING OF FOOTBALL, our seat mate at Casey's today pointed me to Cold, Hard Football Facts.com. Great site, and spot on in its attacks on much of the average fan's conventional wisdom about the pro game (though they got this one wrong, eh?). Here's my prediction: Bears / Eagles in the NFC Championship, Indy / Pats in the AFC. Eagles / Pats in the Super Bowl, and the Pats win (again, and in keeping with the essential character of Philadelphia sports).

The Latest Line

A DAY FOR DOGS:

Redskins +9.5 v. Seachickens
Patsys +3 v. Broncos

May your horse come in.

Technorati Tags: latest line, nfl playoffs

NFL Picks

HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL ...

Tampa - 2.5 v. Washington
Jags + 7.5 v. Patsys (but Patsys to win)
Carolina +2.5 v. Giants
Cinci +3 v. Stillers

The Next Level, Baby

"'IT'S NOT A BIG DEAL,' Vick told the newspaper. 'I'll just move on to the next level, baby.'"

Sure, and if you stomp on an opponent's leg at the next level, you'll never play the game again. Not because of suspension, but because the other guys at the next level will rend your arrogant, over-rated knee from your pompous, no-class leg.

I'm just sayin'.

Tags: marcus vick

Wow

WOW. That's the only word that comes to mind. Wow. Tonight Vince Young looked like the greatest college football player of all time. I had no idea he was this good, and I can't remember a more dominating and impressive pressure performance. Mike Vick blew us away in his last bowl, but it was nothing like this in terms of competition or pressure. Wow.

If Reggie Bush and Vince Young live up to their potential in the NFL, we might talk about this Rose Bowl the same way basketball fans talk about the 1979 NCAA Mens Finals in Salt Lake City. (Photo courtesy Reuters, and that's Vince easily scoring the go-ahead touchdown on fourth down with 19 seconds left in the game.)

The Latest Line: Update

AN UPDATE ON THE LATEST LINE*: Here's the latest. No guarantees; prior results are not predictive of future performance; may your horse come in.

2005 Bowl Predictions

Now 10-10 against the spread

SMU -17 v. Ark. St.: SMU blows 'em out, but fails to cover.
UTEP +3 v. Toledo: UTEP comes back to earth. More proof that the MAC is the best little conference around.
Cal -7 v. BYU: BYU sucks. Now and forever.
CSU +2.5 v. Navy: Ugh.
Kansas -3 v. Houston: Jayhawks roll.
Nevada -2 v. CF: Nevada fails to cover by one.
Memphis -5.5 v. Akron: Memphis by seven.
Clemson over Colorado (no line in this game): Colorado can finally begin the next era.
Rutgers +10.5 over ASU: RU, yoo hoo!
Boise St. +1 v. BC: Boise State ends an era (and fails to cover).
Michigan -11.5 v. Nebraska: Nebraska shows up. Who'd a thunk it.
Utah +8 v. Ga. Tech: My Utes roll.
Oregon -3 v. Oklahoma: Adrian Peterson has skills. Look out for OU next year ...
Minnesota -3 v. Virginia: Big 10, meet the ACC.
UCLA -3 v. Northwestern: Big 10, meet the Pac 10.
South Car. -4 v. Mizzou: The Ol' Ball Coach needs a QB who doesn't throw passes to the Ol' Opposition.
LSU over Miami (no line in this game): Did I mention the SEC?
N.C. State -4.5 v. So. Florida: Welcome to the bowls, bulls.
Tulsa +7 v. Fresno St.: Perhaps Utah could hire Tulsa's coach?
TCU - 3.5 v. Iowa St.: So much for the TCU BCS Buster talk ...
Tx. Tech -3 v. Alabama: Tech's offense fails ...
Florida -2.5 v. Iowa: Urban Meyer does well in his first season. And guess what: He just got the best recruiting class in the NCAAs. Watch out for Florida in 2006.
Va Tech -7.5 v. Louisville: Some comeback by VT.
Wisconsin +10.5 v. Auburn: Wisconsin was getting points?
Notre Dame +4 v. Ohio St.
Georgia -7.5 v. West. VA
Penn State -8 v. FSU
USC -7.5 v. Texas

* Note: My Philly paper that I used for the original post did not list all the games. I've updated the list accordingly.

** This is a scheduled post, written earlier.

Technorati Tags: College Football, Bowl Games

The Latest Line

OVER THE YEARS I seem to have had a knack for picking bowl games and the NFL playoffs (going 21-12 against the spread last year, as an example). It's been a custom to distribute my picks among family and friends the day of the first bowl game, so I thought I'd do so here and expose myself to greater public scrutiny. No guarantees; prior results are not predictive of future performance; may your horse come in.

2005 Bowl Predictions

SMU -17 v. Ark. St.
UTEP +3 v. Toledo
Cal -7 v. BYU
CSU +2.5 v. Navy
Kansans -3 v. Houston
Nevada -2 v. CF
Memphis -5.5 v. Akron
Clemson over Colorado (no line in this game)
Rutgers +10.5 over ASU
Boise St. +1 v. BC
Michigan -11.5 v. Nebraska
Oregon -3 v. Oklahoma
Minnesota -3 v. Virginia
UCLA -3 v. Northwestern
South Car. -4 v. Mizzou
LSU over Miami (no line in this game)
Tulsa +7 v. Fresno St.
Tx. Tech -3 v. Alabama
Florida -2.5 v. Iowa
Va Tech -7.5 v. Louisville
Wisconsin +10.5 v. Auburn
Notre Dame +4 v. Ohio St.
Georgia -7.5 v. West. VA
Penn State -8 v. FSU
USC -7.5 v. Texas

* This is a scheduled post, written earlier.

Ouch

OUCH.

Yes!

GOOD TRIUMPHS OVER EVIL (AGAIN)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

More On The Holy War

IT'S ALWAYS BEEN DIFFICULT to express to folks not from Utah the passions that power the Holy War. But someone's noticed: the Wall Street Journal (subscription required) calls Utah / byu (lowercase intentional) the #4 college rivalry in the country, behind only Florida / FSU, Georgia / Ga. Tech, and Alabama / Auburn, and tied with Michigan / Ohio State. Say the Journal:

"Holy War" produced an unprecedented five thrillers in a row ending in 2001. Average scoring margin at halftime is just over six points, and 10 punts per game is below average.

Yeah, that. And the fact that we hate each other, too. Go Utah.

Holy War

IT'S CALLED THE "HOLY WAR," an apt term to describe the rivalry between the University of Utah and Brigham Young University. Today that war reaches its climax in the traditional end-of-season football tilt between the two schools.

As you can see, I've redesigned things around here in honor of the game.

As you can also see, I obviously went to Utah.

Going to Utah for any period of time leaves one with a strong and lasting distaste for all things BYU. This is amplified if BYU pounded Utah during your childhood and college career, as was the case for me and all Ute fans of my generation.

As such, there are two truisms in my life as a Utah fan:

1. My two favorite teams are Utah, and whoever is playing BYU.
2. If I have to choose between seeing Utah win and BYU lose, I'd rather see BYU lose. Every time.

So today, wear red! The Utes aren't favored (and deservedly so), but shout down all things blue (unless it's the Nits, for whom we'll be cheering)! GO UTAH!! UTAH BY FIVE!!!

More Wow

Turns out that Rich Steinmetz, the Assistant Pro where Kate and I play golf and our coach / instructor, finished tied for 9th yesterday at the PGA Club Pro Championship. Not only is this great for Rich, it also means he'll be playing in the PGA Championship at Baltusrol in August. He's a great guy, and an incredible coach and pro, and we're just thrilled for him.

Just watching a major golf championship is an amazing experience for those who love the game (I've been lucky to attend the US Open and practice rounds at The Masters, and Kate and I went to the PGA at Valhalla a few years ago); I can only imagine what it will be like for Rich to play in one.

I've already bought tickets, and we'll be part of his gallery come August 11th.

Technorati Tags:  Rich Steinmetz PGA

Wow

If you love golf but aren't following the LPGA, you're missing out on some of the best golf we've seen in years. Not only is Annika having the best season in the modern era, just moments ago unknown Birdie Kim holed out a bunker shot for, well, birdie, on the 18th hole of the final round to (it appears) win the Women's U.S. Open.

An amazing shot under any circumstances; earth-shattering given that (1) there have been only four birdies on 18 the entire week, and (2) Kim had only gotten up-and-down from bunkers six times this year (let alone holed them out). No hyperbole here: One of the greatest shots in major championship history.

Also amazing about this week's Women's Open: Two amatuers in the top three, 17-year-old Morgan Pressel (who qualified for the open when she was 12), and 19-year-old Brittany Lang.

Great stuff.

Technorati Tags: Birdie Kim Golf US Women's Open