[Posted Wednesday AM…prior to the day’s baseball playoffs…]
NFL Quiz: Shockingly, just seven individuals have rushed for 1,000 yards in a season for the Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts going back to 1953. Name ‘em. [Hint: One did it in 1983…one of the two toughest to get, to me.] Answer below.
–If you are a Detroit Tigers fan you are pulling your hair out. Your three aces went out and did the following:
Anibal Sanchez…6 innings, 0 hits, 12 strikeouts
Max Scherzer…7 innings, 2 H, 1 R, 13 strikeouts
Justin Verlander…8 innings, 4 H, 1 R, 10 strikeouts
And you win only one of three.
Plus the Red Sox have struck out a collective 43 times, total, in 90 at-bats in the three games.
But on Tuesday, Mike Napoli took a 96 mph Verlander fastball out of the park for a 1-0 win.
–So I went to bed on Sunday night with Detroit leading the Red Sox 5-0 (I know I wasn’t alone in this regard) and of course missed the dramatic David Ortiz grand slam that tied it, with the Red Sox then winning it in the bottom of the ninth on a Jarrod Saltalamacchia single.
Earlier, Detroit’s Scherzer (my new favorite pitcher in baseball) spun 5 2/3 hitless innings before leaving after allowing but one run.
But back to Ortiz, his legend grows in New England and the Big Needle, according to some, has obviously enhanced his Cooperstown credentials. Ditto Carlos Beltran of St. Louis.
“The Hall of Fame candidacies of Carlos Beltran and David Ortiz are going to tell us about the power of October.
“We are going to learn if postseason genius can push a special player from the borderline of immortality all the way to enshrinement. From questionable to Cooperstown.
“Does coming through when so many more are paying attention and so much more is at stake have a collateral akin to, say, winning MVPs or Cy Youngs?
“A litmus test, in some fashion, came last year when borderline candidate Curt Schilling – a three-time Cy runner-up, but an unquestioned playoff maestro – fell well short of induction with just 38.8 percent of the vote, just more than half of the 75 percent needed.
“Some of Schilling’s tally can be attributed to a ballot made overcrowded by having so many players tainted by steroids getting enough votes to stay eligible, but not enough to reach the Hall. That reality is not going to change anytime soon and, of course, Ortiz is going to have to overcome his own PED associations to muster the votes necessary.
“Beltran’s candidacy seems to be gaining momentum as he remains a high-level performer into his late 30s while continuing to be among the best hitters in postseason history.
“Over the last 25 years, Ken Griffey is clearly the best center fielder. And then there is a terrific cast of All-Stars who played the bulk of their careers in center: Beltran, Johnny Damon, Jim Edmonds, Steve Finley, Torii Hunter, Andruw Jones, Kenny Lofton and Bernie Williams. I would argue Beltran was the best of the bunch, the one who combined the most high-end skills for the longest period.
“Beltran’s detractors will discuss his motor. That he had 500-homer talent, but not the drive necessary for historic greatness. I don’t buy it. Teammates never surfaced who had a problem with how Beltran prepared or how much he cared. And players with 358 homers and 308 steals and an .854 lifetime OPS hardly should have to justify their careers….
“Ortiz has larger problems. In 2009, the New York Times reported Ortiz was among the 100 or so players who were on a list of those who failed survey testing for PEDs in 2003. Ortiz confirmed he was informed he was on the list, but said he had never purchased or used steroids.”
But, like Beltran, no one can take away Ortiz’ postseason success, nor his 431 lifetime home runs and 1,429 RBI. He’s also been in the top five in the MVP balloting five times, which is big in my book.
–As for St. Louis – Los Angeles, the Cardinals took a 3-1 series lead in winning 4-2 on Tuesday. Big blow for the Dodgers as Hanley Ramirez was removed from the game after striking out three times due to his broken rib. So it seems doubtful Ramirez will be ready for Wednesday afternoon’s critical Game 5 as Zack Greinke tries to save the Dodgers’ season, and turn it over to Clayton Kershaw for a Game 6.
Meanwhile, L.A. outfielder Yasiel Puig has fast become a rather polarizing figure in baseball. I think the guy is a total jerk but then I’m not a Dodgers fan and clearly he lit a fire under the team when he was brought up to the big leagues in the spring.
Kevin Kernan of the New York Post expressed the feelings of Puig’s many supporters.
“Please don’t change, Yasiel Puig.
“Please don’t let the Baseball Police take away the joy you exhibit every game. Don’t let them stop you from doing what you do.”
–It turns out that Baltimore’s Manny Machado will most likely miss the beginning of next season following knee surgery.
Games to key in on….
5 Florida State at 3 Clemson…8:00 PM ET…stocking domestic ahead of time.
24 Auburn at 7 Texas A&M…how good is Auburn?
9 UCLA at 13 Stanford…huge game for Bruins…are they for real?
22 Florida at 14 Missouri…can Mizzou survive being without quarterback and leader James Franklin the next 3-5 weeks? [Franklin being out with a sprained shoulder. He was having an excellent season with 14 TD passes and just three interceptions, while rushing for 290 yards.]
—Penn State updated figures on the Jerry Sandusky sexual abuse scandal and the university has spent $50.5 million to manage fallout as of July 31, according to a school website. This includes $12 million for the first of five installments on a $60 million fine imposed by the NCAA.
—Indianapolis is honoring Peyton Manning on his return there this Sunday night as the Broncos take on the Colts.
But Colts owner Jim Irsay took a cheap shot at Peyton in an interview with USA TODAY Sports.
Irsay said he was “disappointed” the Colts won only one Super Bowl with the former No. 1 overall pick, adding the team had changed their model “a little bit” under Andrew Luck, because Irsay wants “more than one of these [rings].”
“[Tom] Brady never had consistent numbers, but he has three of these [rings],” Irsay continued. “Pittsburgh had two, the Giants had two, Baltimore had two and we had one. That leaves you frustrated.
“You make the playoffs 11 times, and you’re out in the first round seven out of 11 times. You love to have the ‘Star Wars’ numbers from Peyton and Marvin [Harrison] and Reggie [Wayne]. Mostly, you love this [ring].”
I have no problem with how the Colts handled the whole Manning situation in the end and they’ve gone 15-7 with Luck. After all, Peyton’s neck surgery was far from minor, let alone the money it would have taken to retain him.
But Irsay’s comments are classless given the timing and this week’s game.
–Last time I pointed out a TMZ story that alleges Minnesota running back Adrian Peterson had recently just learned he was the father of the two-year-old boy tragically beaten to death by the mother’s boyfriend.
After I posted, Phil Mushnick of the New York Post had some of the following:
“We in the media – especially those working event broadcasts – have a horrible habit of blindly or wishfully reporting great achievers are additionally blessed: They’re great humans.
“Among many others, we did it with Tiger Woods and Lance Armstrong. Last year, we began to do it with Adrian Peterson, before, and then after, he was selected the NFL’s MVP. With every big game – 2,037 running yards worth – the media bloated his profile: There runs Superman, a super guy, too.
“ ‘We talked with him after practice, and let me tell you this and that about Adrian Peterson.’ ‘Adrian Peterson still finds time to do charity work in the Twin Cities area.’ Blah, blah and blah. Good equals goodness.
“Thus it was unsurprising Peterson’s downside went ignored. In 2009, he was busted for driving 109 mph in a 55 mph zone. He dismissed that as no big deal, which was doubly disturbing – his older, full brother was killed by a reckless driver.
“Last summer, Peterson was in a club when he and friends were informed that it was closing time, past 2 a.m. Apparently, Peterson and pals felt they would decide when it was time to close. The police report noted three cops were needed to subdue Peterson.
“He spent the rest of the night in jail, arrested for resisting arrest (a charge that was later dismissed).”
Mr. Mushnick goes on to wonder why Peterson couldn’t have provided a better life for his son, seemingly unknowing of the TMZ report. After all, Peterson just signed a $96 million contract.
And in another report on Tuesday, TMZ.com reported that Peterson is reportedly the father of a 3-month-old girl born to a woman who works as a waitress at a popular Minneapolis club.
–Since I mentioned quarterback Matt Flynn the other day, I have to note he was signed by the Buffalo Bills after being released by the Oakland Raiders. Now he needs just one big game to parlay that into another $6 or $7 million contract; Flynn being the master of deception.
–Every team has injury issues, but suddenly the Jets, having lost running back Mike Goodson and receiver Clyde Gates to season-ending injuries last Sunday, were reduced to signing 30-year-old Josh Cribbs, who was released by the Raiders last spring.
Heck, if he’s in shape the three-time Pro Bowler can contribute in a number of ways.
–NBC sportscaster Bob Costas injected himself into the Redskins nickname debate in a big way with an editorial during Sunday’s telecast of the game between the Cowboys and Redskins.
Costas said the nickname was an ethnic “insult” and “slur” to Native Americans, adding: “Ask yourself what the equivalent [of Redskins] would be, if directed toward African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, or members of any other ethnic group.
“When considered that way, ‘Redskins’ can’t possibly honor a heritage or noble character trait, nor can it possibly be considered a neutral term,’ he said. “It’s an insult, a slur, no matter how benign the present day intent.
“It’s fair to say that for a long time now, and certainly in 2013, no offense has been intended,” he continued. “But if you take a step back, isn’t it clear to see how offense might legitimately be taken?”
So radio host Glenn Beck unloaded on Costas.
“You sanctimonious piece of crap,” Beck said, referring to Costas, adding that Costas is “senile” and “wildly arrogant.”
“Why is it that all white people think they have to correct all the ills and protect everybody else?” Beck continued. [Scott Collins / Washington Post]
Washington Post conservative commentator Charles Krauthammer wrote the following (echoed in a segment he did Tuesday with Bill O’Reilly).
“I don’t think there is any intent of malice, there’s no intent of a slur, and there is 80 years of history. But words have histories of their own, and they evolve. The word Negro, 50 years ago, was the most respected word in referring to an African American. It was used 15 times by Martin Luther King in the I Have a Dream speech. Fifty years later, because of its own history, having to do with Black Power and a complicated history, it’s become a word that is patronizing. You would never say there are 30 Negroes in the U.S. House. You wouldn’t say that.
“In the same way, Redskins has evolved,” Krauthammer continued. “And despite its history, it is now considered a slur.”
The debate picked up in tenor all over again after President Obama said in a weekend interview that if he owned the franchise he would think about changing the name.
Lastly, the Oneida Indian Nation commissioned a poll by Survey USA that shows 59% of adults in the Washington region say that American Indians would have a right to feel offended if called “redskin.”
Well, time for me to weigh in. I agree with Charles Krauthammer, but then I’m not a Redskins fan.
Oops…I was just informed there was a reason why Washington’s NBA team abandoned the Bullets nickname years ago….never mind….
–The Wall Street Journal’s Michael Salfino, looking at the 0-6 Giants, notes that since the NFL went to a 16-game schedule in 1978, 44 teams have started 0-6. Only four posted winning records in their remaining 10 games, and just one, the 2009 Titans, rebounded all the way to 8-8.
–Speaking of the Giants, Eli Manning, among his many endorsement contracts in the New York metro area, has been shilling for Dunkin’ Donuts, with life-size cutouts of the QB in the outlets; like mine, here in the building in which I live.
I’ve joked about this with the workers the past few weeks and thankfully he was just removed, the victim of Halloween decorations. I do give the patrons credit for at least not defacing Eli while he was up.
–The Washington Post’s “Couch Slouch,” Norman Chad, on expanding the NFL season.
“Trust me, good people – concussions notwithstanding – an expanded NFL postseason and an 18-game regular season are inexorable. Oh, sure, the players’ union will balk and some sports columnists will protest, but the league wants it and the fans want it and undeniably it will make more money for more people, and last time I checked, America was built on the notion of making more money for more people.
“Will the quality of play suffer? Likely. Will more players get hurt? Of course. But players are interchangeable parts, and the bottom line is: We want as many Sundays of football that matters, preferably with the biggest stars intact….
“When the NFL extends its season, the casualties will grow – unless we take measures now….
“We need to protect our resources, both natural and LSU-made….
“In fact, in a nation that stockpiles weapons, I’m surprised the NFL does not mirror our gun culture and permit limited firearms on the field. Combining the best aspects of pro football and paintball, you could allow one defensive player – logically, the safety – to carry a weapon. Let’s say Robert Griffin III streaks down the sideline on a scramble; from across the gridiron, the safety could fire a shot and stop him from reaching the end zone.
“Medicine is so advanced these days, the bullet could be removed from Griffin’s leg at halftime, and he would be good to go by the third quarter!
“Or as an alternative, I would arm the quarterback – and the quarterback only – and enact ‘stand your ground’ laws in NFL backfields. Let’s see how many sacks J.J. Watt gets when Jay Cutler is packing a Glock 21.”
–Regarding my quiz on San Francisco 49ers running backs the other day, Johnny Mac noted that in the 1965 draft, San Francisco selected RB Ken Willard (North Carolina) with the second pick in the first round, after the Giants had taken running back Tucker Frederickson (Auburn).
But with the Nos. 3 and 4 picks, the Chicago Bears took Dick Butkus (Illinois) and Gale Sayers (Kansas), two pretty fair players with busts in Canton.
Quarterback Craig Morton (California) was No. 5, by the way, taken by Dallas.
And I couldn’t help but note that the Minnesota Vikings had a nice selection in the 13th round (back when they had like 20 rounds, boys and girls), taking running back Dave Osborn out of North Dakota. Osborn went on to have a solid career with 4,336 yards rushing.
Golf Balls
–So I’m looking at the final PGA Tour 2013 statistics and it’s interesting to note that among the top 15 on the money list, you have the final rankings for driving distance.
No. 3 money list….Matt Kuchar…No. 116 driving distance.
No. 5 Brandt Snedeker…No. 137
No. 7 Steve Stricker…No. 124
No. 9 Zach Johnson…No. 153
No. 15 Jim Furyk…No. 169
By the way, No. 1 for driving distance at 306.3 was Luke List, who finished No. 173 on the money list.
[No. 2 was Dustin Johnson, who finished No. 19 in cash.]
As for driving accuracy, the relevant numbers for the above were….
Kuchar…No. 124, Snedeker…No. 67; Stricker…No. 3; Z. Johnson…No. 8; Furyk…No. 4.
Tiger Woods, by the way….No. 1 in money, was No. 49 for driving distance and No. 69 for driving accuracy.
Phil Mickelson, No. 4 on the money list, was No. 93 for driving distance and No. 149 for accuracy.
Ergo, you take all the above in and Kuchar and Snedeker obviously have good short games.
Golf Digest’s John Barton had a story on Moe Norman (1929-2004), one of the real characters of the game.
Moe was a Canadian who used to wow the fans with his trick shot artistry and unique stance, legs wide and ramrod straight, a short backswing, then a lash…a simple, mechanical, one-lever swing.
He was, however, painfully shy, a real misfit, and he played little on the PGA Tour.
But among the many tales of this incredibly eccentric golfer is a time before the 1971 Canadian Open.
“Moe hit a driver at the 233-yard 10th, turned his back to the green and said, ‘I’m not putting today.’ The ball rolled into the hole.”
But Moe had trouble on the greens, hated the attention, and never achieved big-time success.
–I noted last time I was posting before the conclusion of the Frys.com Open, the official opening for the new 2013-2014 PGA Tour format, and that it appeared Jimmy Walker would win.
Well he did…his first tour victory in his 188th event.
So he gets an invite to next April’s Masters and a two-year exemption on the tour.
Vijay Singh’s runner-up finish, by the way, was his best since 2011.
The New York Rangers are 1-4-0, having been outscored 25-9. Due to renovations in Madison Square Garden, the team was forced to start the year with nine road games. Insane.
And the New Jersey Devils are 0-3-3 (3 overtime losses).
Meanwhile, the Colorado Avalanche and San Jose Sharks are off to perfect 6-0-0 starts. Colorado has outscored the opposition 21-6; San Jose 30-9.
–An Australian and three Tibetans died in an avalanche on Mount Everest. Chinese state media said an “illegal foreign tourist group organized by a Tibetan tourist agency” entered an area of Mount Everest that is not approved for tourism on Sunday.
154 were stranded by the avalanche, which would kind of suck.
“Bacon lowers sperm count, fish improves it”
“Just one rasher of bacon a day can damage a man’s fertility, while eating a portion of white fish such as cod or halibut every other day can improve it, researchers have suggested.
“The study by Harvard University on 156 men in couples suffering problems conceiving examined their diet and the size and shape of their sperm….
“On average, those who ate the equivalent of less than a rasher of bacon a day had 30 percent more normal sperm than those who ate higher quantities of processed meats.
“Meanwhile, those who ate a portion of white fish every other day had a similar edge over those who ate foods such as cod more rarely.”
‘What if you eat white fish just one day a week?’ mused the editor.
–Shout out to good friend and loyal reader, Jeff B., a future Old Man Tennis League Hall of Famer, who a few years ago tore his ACL but launched a comeback for the ages, taking on all comers across the northeast and south (during his annual pilgrimage to Kiawah).
Now, though, Jeff has possibly torn his other ACL playing the sport he so loves.
If his career is over, he could be eligible for induction into the OMTL Hall within 36 hours.
–Among the nominees for the Rock and Hall of Fame next year are Nirvana, Kiss, Linda Ronstadt, Yes and Hall and Oates.
Yippee. They don’t stand a chance but good to see them there.
Among those left off, though, are Bon Jovi, Whitney Houston, the Moody Blues, and Chicago.
C’mon. All four at least deserve to be on the ballot.
–One of my favorite songs all time is Elton John’s “Your Song” (1970) and in an interview with Rolling Stone, John discusses his life in 20 songs. So of “Your Song” he notes:
“What can I say, it’s a perfect song. It gets better every time I sing it. I remember writing it at my parents’ apartment in North London, and Bernie (Taupin) giving me the lyrics, sitting down at the piano and looking at it and going, ‘Oh, my God, this is such a great lyric, I can’t f— this one up.’ It came out in about 20 minutes, and when I was done, I called him in and we both knew. I was 22, and he was 19, and it gave us so much confidence.”
Top 3 songs for the week 10/17/64: #1 “Do Wah Diddy Diddy” (Manfred Mann) #2 “Dancing In The Street” (Martha & The Vandellas) #3 “Oh, Pretty Woman” (Roy Orbison)…and…#3 “We’ll Sing In The Sunshine” (Gale Garnett…incredibly melancholy song…when you really listen to the lyrics…) #5 “Last Kiss” (J. Frank Wilson and The Cavaliers…teenage angst tune…) #6 “Remember (Walkin’ In The Sand)” (The Shangri-Las…nice sweaters…) #7 “A Summer Song” (Chad Stuart and Jeremy Clyde…aka Chad and Jeremy) #8 “It Hurts To Be In Love” (Gene Pitney…I can do this one real well in the car…) #9 “When I Grow Up (To Be A Man)” (The Beach Boys…one of my favorites of theirs…plus I’m still waiting to grow up myself…) #10 “Let It Be Me” (Betty Everett & Jerry Butler…super tune…Jerry Butler incredibly underrated…)
NFL Quiz Answer: Seven Baltimore/Indianapolis Colt backs to rush for 1,000….
Eric Dickerson, Edgerrin James, Marshall Faulk, Lydell Mitchell, Joseph Addai, Curtis Dickey (1983), Dominic Rhodes (2001).
