Coming into this year’s Masters all the attention was paid to the 30 year anniversary of Jack Nicklaus’ epic come from behind victory over Greg Norman. We heard all the stories, had Golf Network specials, listened to Jack recount it hole by hole and were primed for something special to happen this week. Lost in all of this was 20 years ago.
Keep reading for Dunton’s final thoughts on the 2016 Masters
The first week of baseball is just about in the books. The American League East is pretty much flip flopped as to how every expert seemingly felt the season would go with the Baltimore Orioles undefeated atop the division and the Toronto Blue Jays at the bottom of the division. Right smack in the middle are the New York Yankees.
Some people will tell you the first week and April don’t mean too much. The spring training hangover is still looming, players aren’t in the proverbial “midseason form”, and some game changers are either on the DL or in the minors.
While I will agree that one’s record is somewhat insignificant, I think April is very important. You want to set the pace for the season, and getting a few wins under your belt to set up for the long haul is highly significant. You also want to see — win or lose — good baseball being played.
Keep reading for more on the good and bad of week one for the Yankees.
Most of you know that I write for the official website of the NCAA as well as the relatively new Division II website. I have shared a few stories this season on my own blog that I felt we’re interesting stories on more than simply the collegiate level. This week, I was fortunate to have three such stories.
The Oakland Raiders have been doing some work this offseason. They are in the process of completely revamping their defense to add some support to that young offense. They are seemingly starting to put together the roster that can compete with the Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos yet again.
The minor league baseball season kicks off today. As many of you are aware, this is as equally exciting for me as MLB Opening Day. When you cover prospects for a guy like John Sickels for the past year, Minor League Baseball is a pretty big deal.
The first prospect I took a look at entering this season is Tampa Rays Brent Honeywell. You may have heard his name this past week when he attack Bryce Harper via Twitter for his now infamous “Make Baseball Fun Again” hat. One thing is for certain, this kid has the intestinal fortitude to make it in the big leagues.
Last year we witnessed a meteoric rise of a young star in the world of golf. Jordan Spieth completely obliterated the field at the Masters and pretty much left nothing in doubt going into Sunday carrying a four shot lead. Forget about that back nine roar on Sunday, we witnessed a back nine coronation of the next big star in golf.
It helped that he went on to win the US Open and then almost win the Open Championship. At that moment in the summer, the professional golf world hitched its wagon to their future star to carry the torch.
Well we thought we did. Then something –or actually someone else — happened. Jason Day. We watched Day come oh so close at the US and British Opens and then as he won the PGA Championship we officially had our new 1-2 punch of contenders.
Let’s not forget Rory, Rickie, and Dustin Johnson who was two putts away from winning the US Open (how did he miss those?). Anyway, it’s Masters week.
Yesterday was Opening Day. The Atlanta Braves teased their fans in the last home opener at The Ted as the Washington Nationals came back in extra innings to win the game.
Earlier in the day on the way to work, I tuned in to The Front Row on 680 the Fan. Steak Shapiro, Sandra Golden and Brian Finneran were playing what they called the Atlanta Braves Over/Under Game. Steak would read a stat and poll Finneran, Sandra and some of their listeners for their thoughts.
Well, now you get to hear mine.
Keep reading for the over and unders on the 2016 Braves season.
I know, I know. Yesterday was Opening Day. Three games on the Sunday of Opening Day Eve certainly made me happy, despite literally falling one place (0.5 points) shy of placing in my first DraftKings multiplier of the season.
Since today marks what has truly become known as Opening Day, I have saved my predictions for this magical Monday. I have no problem admitting that I have had a rough go in predicting the MLB the past two seasons, but I will give myself a pat on the back for predicting the rise of the Kansas City Royals two years ago. That’s why I’m sticking with them this year, but just how far do I think they can go?
The 1986 World Series was one for the ages, huh? Finally, the two cities that loathed each other within their own division for decades would get to battle on the world’s biggest stage for the ultimate baseball supremacy. The Boston Red Sox, behind one of the best hitters AND pitchers in baseball, would face off against the scrappy, seemingly always in trouble, New York Mets. The two teams combined for over 200 wins in the regular season, and it was a matchup that saw baseball’s two most polarizing teams go head-to-head.
It certainly was a red carpet list of baseball’s biggest stars. Darryl Strawberry. Dwight Gooden. Keith Hernandez. Gary Carter. Roger Clemens. Wade Boggs. Jim Rice. Dwight Evans. Don Baylor.
And of course Mookie Wilson and Bill Buckner.
Keep reading for how the 86 Series ruined Buckner’s greatness.
It was Opening Day in Cleveland. Tuesday April 2, 1996. David Cone hurled seven innings of shutout ball. This rookie named Derek Jeter hit his first big league home run and the New York Yankees won their first game of the season. They would also win their last game that season.
That game was Game 6 of the World Series. The New York Yankees dynasty was born.
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