Major league baseball got a shot in the arm as far as increased interest in the game this season when young pitching phenom Stephen Strasburg arrived on the scene in Washington. Attendance increased at every game in which Strasburg pitched, at home and on the road. Strasburg mania is now on hold, however, after he … Read More
Feature Stories
MLB – R.I.P. Bobby Thomson
Bobby Thomson passed away at the age of 86 on August 17th. Thomson was a 3 time all-star early in his career with the New York Giants, but for the most part was a journeyman outfielder who kicked around the major leagues from 1946 until 1960, playing with 5 different teams. On the last day … Read More
Youth Baseball Training Tools
A lot of youth baseball leagues across the U.S. today have become pretty sophisticated, with high-end facilities that offer players within the league the use of pitching machines, batting cages, sliding pits and all kinds of other training aides. This is a good thing, if a community can afford it, and if the league officers … Read More
Final HOF Post – What’s Missing From This Picture?
The Hall of Fame induction ceremony for 2010 is now in the books, and the Hall of Fame preseason game has been played to officially kick off the new football season. Last week I blogged each day about players at each position who have been overlooked by the Hall voters. But I’ll close out the … Read More
NFL – Best Special Teams Players Not In The Hall of Fame
From left: Ray Guy, Steve Tasker, Billy “White Shoes” Johnson. When it comes to special teams, NFL coaches pretty much all preach the same sermon – they are just as important as offense and defense, they are 1/3 of the entire team and practice time should be equal to what offense and defense get, they … Read More
NFL – Best Defensive Linemen Not In The Hall of Fame
Above from left: Jim Marshall, Walter Johnson (71). Below: Alex Karras. Among defensive linemen missing from the Hall of Fame whose bust should have been added long ago is former Minnesota Viking Jim Marshall. In fact, while researching this post I was shocked that he wasn’t in. I had always assumed he was. He played 20 … Read More
NFL – Best Linebackers Not In The Hall of Fame
Above from left: Maxie Baughan, Dave Robinson, Lee Roy Jordan. Linebacker is a position in football that requires many different skills, and a position that has evolved over the years. The best ones have to have the toughness and tackling skills of defensive linemen and the coverage skills of defensive backs. Linebackers who play in … Read More
NFL – Best Defensive Backs Not In The Hall of Fame
Above, from left: Lester Hayes, Steve Atwater, Pat Fischer. The measuring stick for defensive backs in the NFL has always been interceptions, so ball-hawking type players like Dick “Night Train” Lane and Ken Houston basically walked into Canton when their time came. Ronnie Lott of the ’49ers is an example of a punishing physical player … Read More
NFL – Best Offensive Linemen Not In The Hall of Fame
Above from left: Bob Kuechenberg, Kent Hull, Jerry Kramer. Offensive linemen have traditionally been the players who grind it out in the trenches and get little or no credit for their team’s success. That may explain why there are so many deserving O-line Hall of Fame candidates who don’t ever get consideration. There are 2 glaring … Read More
NFL – Best Tight Ends Not In The Hall of Fame
Top Row: Shannon Sharpe (left), Pete Retzlaff. Second Row: Jerry Smith (left), Fred Arbanas. There aren’t many tight ends in Pro Football’s Hall of Fame, but then again it’s never been much of a “glamour” position in the NFL, although recent players like Tony Gonzalez and Antonio Gates are changing that perception. One tight end not … Read More