Throughout her 14 years, ninth-grader Meggie Zahneis has never shied from a challenge and continues to conquer one obstacle after another.
That determination, and a charming personality, has not only given a life without limits, it's opened many doors. And the one she's about to walk through is a really big one.
Meggie, who penned the grand-prize-winning essay last summer in Major League Baseball's Breaking Barriers initiative, will become MLB.com's youth reporter and get to write stories about her hometown Cincinnati Reds and baseball at large.
"I am really blessed and really honored to be a part of something like this. It's a pretty cool feeling," Meggie said just before an assembly in her honor Thursday at the Lakota West Freshman School.
With several dignitaries representing the game, Major League Baseball held a presentation for Meggie to announce her new job featuring Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips and Sharon Robinson, the daughter of baseball icon Jackie Robinson and the founder of the Breaking Barriers program.
As about a dozen media members and MLB staffers entered the auditorium before her classmates, Meggie was poised and didn't shrink under the spotlight. She even embraced Phillips not long after he walked in and the two had an extended private conversation -- although at one point, Meggie couldn't help shouting to her father, "Dad, come meet Brandon Phillips!"
The two had interacted in the past at games or events, but Phillips didn't really meet her until Thursday.
"She said I was so nice to sign her autographs all the time," Phillips said. "There's something about her presence that just makes you want to smile. I feel like I can just sit around and talk with her all day. She's very well-spoken."
Breaking Barriers began in 1997, and each year it has held a contest for students in grades 4-8 to submit an essay about barriers or obstacles they faced, still face or overcame.
Meggie was born with a very rare disorder known as HSAN II (Hereditary Sensory and Autonomic Neuropathy, type 2), which causes her to be unable to feel pain, temperature and touch like most people.
"With her disorder, there are not a lot of people that have it," said Meggie's mother, Cindy Zahneis. "So there is no one to look to to see what's going to happen or what's possible. I think she has pretty much exceeded what people thought might be possible."
Meggie is also 100 percent deaf, if not for the aid of her cochlear implants.
"It may not be on a baseball field, but I face many of the same social and emotional barriers that Jackie Robinson did," Meggie's winning essay read. "Every day, I try to make a conscious commitment to focus on the things I CAN do, and not the ones I can't. I like to think I have the determination to forge forward with my strengths and use them to the advantage of not only myself, but of other kids with special needs. It's my dream that someday, just like Mr. Robinson paved the way for African-Americans to play baseball, I can pave the way, through my writing, for other kids with special needs."
Meggie's essay was one of 10,000 received by Breaking Barriers this year. That large pool was broken down to 100 finalists. Meggie's was the clear winner, according to Robinson.
"First of all, she is a very good writer," Robinson said. "The focus of her essay was on doing what I can do. What she can do is write. It was such a positive essay and a positive spirit that came out, and a great message for kids in general -- and adults. I know adults who have been inspired by her story, as well. It's a message for everybody. Be fearless. Don't let anyone stop you or tell you that you can't do something. Be fearless and move past it. Be the best you can be."
Phillips was also impressed with the essay, especially the part about Meggie focusing her life on what she can do.
"It really inspired me," Phillips said. "It touched my heart and showed me people should look at the world different. You really don't know what people go through."
The grand prize was initially supposed to be a trip to the 2011 All-Star Game in Phoenix, but more opportunities soon came. Robinson and MLB asked Meggie to attend a game at the World Series in Arlington, and that was where she walked into the suite of Commissioner Allan H. "Bud" Selig.
Meggie has a way of making fast friends with people from all walks of life, and this one opened another door for her.
"I've brought a number of kids to the Commissioner's office for the Breaking Barriers contest. He met her very briefly at the All-Star Game, and I knew it wasn't enough," Robinson said. "I said I needed a picture of Meggie and the Commissioner together at the World Series for our program.
"[Selig] just embraced her immediately. What he didn't know was just how strong her knowledge was about baseball. The two of them sat down and fell into this conversation where they were laughing and talking. And they were talking baseball. When he called me, he said, 'I couldn't get her off my mind. She reminds me of [my daughter] Wendy when she was a young girl.' She was that interested in baseball and that knowledgeable."
Meggie impressed Selig in a profound way. With full support of the leadership at MLB.com and in the league office, he knew Meggie should have a meaningful opportunity in baseball. By the end of the World Series, her breakthrough job was in place. Selig personally told Meggie about the offer on a recent conference call that included Robinson. Meggie also will become a special envoy for Breaking Barriers to continue to share her experience and to encourage kids to write their own stories.
"It was a dream come true," Meggie said of the All-Star Game and World Series. "Now to be able to go and do that on a regular basis, I can't even imagine."
"MLB just keeps calling us and it's one thing after another -- getting to do all the things she has, the World Series and now this wonderful opportunity," Cindy Zahneis said. "She loves to write and loves baseball. She's had to struggle in her life with different things, but there have been a lot of positive things to keep her going. And this, obviously, I don't know how it can be topped."
On Thursday, Robinson announced that the Breaking Barriers essay contest was expanding to allow ninth-grade applicants to share their experiences.
Not only did Meggie get her entire school out of class for nearly an hour, her schoolmates can thank her for another bonus. While speaking, Reds chief operating officer Phil Castellini invited the entire school of about 600 students to a game at Great American Ball Park in April.
"The fact that she's from Cincinnati and a Reds fan, this is her accomplishment," Castellini said. "We're just blessed to be along for the ride with her. We're blessed it's our town she is from and she supports our team. This is a day for her, but my thought coming here was, 'Let's make it a special day for the whole school and just make what's she has done all the more the special, because more people will get to enjoy it with her.'"
During the event, Meggie presented Phillips with a special Breaking Barriers jersey with Jackie Robinson's No. 42 on the back.
"Amazing, especially as a Reds fan. I've always been a fan of him," Meggie said of Phillips earlier. "To get to meet him, it's absolutely amazing."
Now she will get to meet and speak with Reds players all season long. The next time, it will be part of her job.
2011年12月1日星期四
2011年8月16日星期二
During lockout, Denver Nuggets' Nene stays in shape playing soccer
They play soccer on Thursdays, Denver's melting pot of footballers from Brazil, Argentina, Peru. It's a hodgepodge of muscular men, lithe ladies and one 6-foot-11 dude who somehow seems to fit in like he is 5-foot-11 — except when there's a header battle. Then, yeah, he's definitely 6-11.
"I'm like a normal person," Nene said. "Everyone is the same. I'm not special."
For the big Brazilian, soccer is his national pastime. And the longtime Nuggets center has been playing pickup matches in Denver parks this summer, a man-child playing his favorite childhood game.
"I feel more close to Brazil (when I play)," said Nene, a native of São Carlos, Brazil, who joined the Nuggets in 2002. "I miss it so much, and my friends live there. But I can come here and play soccer and enjoy it. It's a sport I love. I grew up playing soccer. And I just get to have some fun."
Last Thursday, Nene was in two natural habitats. He was playing soccer — while posting up a smaller, scrappy defender and demanding the ball near the goal.
It was a beautiful night for what they call the beautiful game. The air cooled as the sun slowly crept behind the mountains. Players shouted strategy to teammates in mutual languages, as if they were inadvertently talking in code to deter defenders.
"In Brazil, you're born and raised playing," said Nene's friend Felipe Eichenberger, also on the pitch that evening. "So this is just fun — and at the same time, you get some cardio."
They played the game passionately — like a street basketball game with cred on the line — and they played beautifully, with touch passes and savvy defense, including Nene, who showcased some pretty passes with his size 16s. Instead of using goalies, they play with smaller, movable goals to make it more difficult to score, as Nene discovered. With the ball glued to his boot, he spun his body to the right, faced the goal and unleashed a laser shot — which sailed over the goal, postponing the game while a poor sap retrieved the ball.
Nene, of course, has some free time.
"Right now, I have no job," he said with a little grin.
Indeed, the NBA players are locked out, and there aren't any signs this thing will be resolved anytime soon. Nene is exercising and even doing some martial arts workouts to stay in shape. And, of course, he gets in some cardio while playing soccer, though this ain't running up and down the court with Tim Duncan.
Whenever the NBA gets going again, Nene will be a free agent, after opting out of the final year of his Nuggets contract ($11.6 million). He reiterated that it's possible he could return to the Nuggets but suggested that one of the reasons he wants to play elsewhere is for a more immediate chance at a championship.
"After nine years, I have goals and I'm a team player," said Nene, who has averaged 12.3 points and 7.0 rebounds in his career. "I'm very competitive. I want to accomplish everything. It's a big opportunity, and it's the only one in my life to be a top free agent. So I want to enjoy this moment. If people think it's about money, they're wrong. I've saved my money. I could retire today. I don't need to prove points. I like it a lot here."
Indeed, the big guy has become part of the local mountain range. He even married a Colorado girl, and the couple had their first child, a baby boy, this summer.
"I stare at him all the time," the proud papa said. "It's just so cool."
Asked about possibly playing overseas, Nene said no.
"I'll do my cardio here, see my baby," he said. "I saved my money. I don't want to go to Europe. I want to enjoy my offseason. It's a magical time (with the baby)."
But on Thursdays and occasionally some other nights, the center slips away to play some striker.
"I'm like a normal person," Nene said. "Everyone is the same. I'm not special."
For the big Brazilian, soccer is his national pastime. And the longtime Nuggets center has been playing pickup matches in Denver parks this summer, a man-child playing his favorite childhood game.
"I feel more close to Brazil (when I play)," said Nene, a native of São Carlos, Brazil, who joined the Nuggets in 2002. "I miss it so much, and my friends live there. But I can come here and play soccer and enjoy it. It's a sport I love. I grew up playing soccer. And I just get to have some fun."
Last Thursday, Nene was in two natural habitats. He was playing soccer — while posting up a smaller, scrappy defender and demanding the ball near the goal.
It was a beautiful night for what they call the beautiful game. The air cooled as the sun slowly crept behind the mountains. Players shouted strategy to teammates in mutual languages, as if they were inadvertently talking in code to deter defenders.
"In Brazil, you're born and raised playing," said Nene's friend Felipe Eichenberger, also on the pitch that evening. "So this is just fun — and at the same time, you get some cardio."
They played the game passionately — like a street basketball game with cred on the line — and they played beautifully, with touch passes and savvy defense, including Nene, who showcased some pretty passes with his size 16s. Instead of using goalies, they play with smaller, movable goals to make it more difficult to score, as Nene discovered. With the ball glued to his boot, he spun his body to the right, faced the goal and unleashed a laser shot — which sailed over the goal, postponing the game while a poor sap retrieved the ball.
Nene, of course, has some free time.
"Right now, I have no job," he said with a little grin.
Indeed, the NBA players are locked out, and there aren't any signs this thing will be resolved anytime soon. Nene is exercising and even doing some martial arts workouts to stay in shape. And, of course, he gets in some cardio while playing soccer, though this ain't running up and down the court with Tim Duncan.
Whenever the NBA gets going again, Nene will be a free agent, after opting out of the final year of his Nuggets contract ($11.6 million). He reiterated that it's possible he could return to the Nuggets but suggested that one of the reasons he wants to play elsewhere is for a more immediate chance at a championship.
"After nine years, I have goals and I'm a team player," said Nene, who has averaged 12.3 points and 7.0 rebounds in his career. "I'm very competitive. I want to accomplish everything. It's a big opportunity, and it's the only one in my life to be a top free agent. So I want to enjoy this moment. If people think it's about money, they're wrong. I've saved my money. I could retire today. I don't need to prove points. I like it a lot here."
Indeed, the big guy has become part of the local mountain range. He even married a Colorado girl, and the couple had their first child, a baby boy, this summer.
"I stare at him all the time," the proud papa said. "It's just so cool."
Asked about possibly playing overseas, Nene said no.
"I'll do my cardio here, see my baby," he said. "I saved my money. I don't want to go to Europe. I want to enjoy my offseason. It's a magical time (with the baby)."
But on Thursdays and occasionally some other nights, the center slips away to play some striker.
2011年8月2日星期二
Renteira's slam lifts Reds over Astros
Wandy Rodriguez is Houston's career leader for strikeouts by a left-hander. Unfortunately for Rodriguez and the Astros, one bad inning put a damper on milestone.
Rodriguez gave up five runs in the fifth inning, highlighted by Edgar Renteria's ninth career grand slam, and the Astros lost 5-1 to the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday night.
Cincinnati was struggling offensively before two doubles, two walks -- including one to Reds starter Homer Bailey -- and Renteria's second homer of the season put the Reds ahead 5-0 and led to Rodriguez's departure after just 78 pitches.
Rodriguez (7-8) said he felt soreness in his back toward his right shoulder before the game, but the discomfort did not factor into his performance.
"That's not an excuse," said Rodriguez, who did not bring up the back issue until asked. "I threw my first four innings. I felt sore earlier in the bullpen, but that's no excuse. I felt sore all game, but I could throw the ball."
Astros manager Brad Mills agreed with Rodriguez's assessment.
"That one inning did him in," Mills said. "The first four innings he gave up one hit and was throwing the ball extremely well. That fifth inning, the big at-bat was the one to the pitcher, ended up walking him on nine pitches. He is OK. He had a little knot or something in his right side (of his back).
"He said he was fine and through the first four innings threw the ball really well."
A day after edging the Reds 4-3 in extra innings, the Astros' new-look lineup mustered just one run and five hits, going 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position.
Houston lost for the ninth time in 12 games but did get four innings of two-hit ball from relievers Aneury Rodriguez, David Carpenter and Enerio del Rosario.
"It was nice to see the bullpen again come through with four shutout innings," Mills said.
Bailey (6-5), who grew up about 100 miles west of Houston in La Grange, allowed one run and five hits in eight innings. He struck out four and walked three.
Recently acquired Luis Durango singled in Jimmy Paredes in the fifth for Houston's only run.
"Two of the times he's thrown really well have been here, and I know he's from Texas," Mills said of Bailey. "So that might have something to do with it; I don't know."
Rodriguez, who has played his entire major league career with the Astros, struck out Drew Stubbs with his signature curveball in the third inning for his 947th career strikeout, passing Bob Knepper for the team's lefty lead.
Chris Heisey and Ramon Hernandez sparked Cincinnati's big inning with consecutive doubles, making it 1-0. After Todd Frazier grounded out, Bailey and Stubbs walked to load the bases for Renteria, who hit a 1-0 fastball into the Crawford Boxes in left field.
Renteria entered the game hitting .357 against Rodriguez, who left after the fifth.
"In the fifth inning you see I threw a lot of close pitches to home plate and (the umpire) didn't call them," Rodriguez said. "When I got behind I tried to throw strikes and the guys hit the ball."
The at-bat that irked Rodriguez the most was the one against Bailey.
"I threw a lot of fastballs and he got a little contact for foul ball, foul ball, foul ball," Rodriguez said. "On 3-2, I tried to make it like a breaking ball for a strike and I threw a little bit down, and he didn't swing."
."I wanted to make the out in this situation."
Rodriguez gave up five runs in the fifth inning, highlighted by Edgar Renteria's ninth career grand slam, and the Astros lost 5-1 to the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday night.
Cincinnati was struggling offensively before two doubles, two walks -- including one to Reds starter Homer Bailey -- and Renteria's second homer of the season put the Reds ahead 5-0 and led to Rodriguez's departure after just 78 pitches.
Rodriguez (7-8) said he felt soreness in his back toward his right shoulder before the game, but the discomfort did not factor into his performance.
"That's not an excuse," said Rodriguez, who did not bring up the back issue until asked. "I threw my first four innings. I felt sore earlier in the bullpen, but that's no excuse. I felt sore all game, but I could throw the ball."
Astros manager Brad Mills agreed with Rodriguez's assessment.
"That one inning did him in," Mills said. "The first four innings he gave up one hit and was throwing the ball extremely well. That fifth inning, the big at-bat was the one to the pitcher, ended up walking him on nine pitches. He is OK. He had a little knot or something in his right side (of his back).
"He said he was fine and through the first four innings threw the ball really well."
A day after edging the Reds 4-3 in extra innings, the Astros' new-look lineup mustered just one run and five hits, going 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position.
Houston lost for the ninth time in 12 games but did get four innings of two-hit ball from relievers Aneury Rodriguez, David Carpenter and Enerio del Rosario.
"It was nice to see the bullpen again come through with four shutout innings," Mills said.
Bailey (6-5), who grew up about 100 miles west of Houston in La Grange, allowed one run and five hits in eight innings. He struck out four and walked three.
Recently acquired Luis Durango singled in Jimmy Paredes in the fifth for Houston's only run.
"Two of the times he's thrown really well have been here, and I know he's from Texas," Mills said of Bailey. "So that might have something to do with it; I don't know."
Rodriguez, who has played his entire major league career with the Astros, struck out Drew Stubbs with his signature curveball in the third inning for his 947th career strikeout, passing Bob Knepper for the team's lefty lead.
Chris Heisey and Ramon Hernandez sparked Cincinnati's big inning with consecutive doubles, making it 1-0. After Todd Frazier grounded out, Bailey and Stubbs walked to load the bases for Renteria, who hit a 1-0 fastball into the Crawford Boxes in left field.
Renteria entered the game hitting .357 against Rodriguez, who left after the fifth.
"In the fifth inning you see I threw a lot of close pitches to home plate and (the umpire) didn't call them," Rodriguez said. "When I got behind I tried to throw strikes and the guys hit the ball."
The at-bat that irked Rodriguez the most was the one against Bailey.
"I threw a lot of fastballs and he got a little contact for foul ball, foul ball, foul ball," Rodriguez said. "On 3-2, I tried to make it like a breaking ball for a strike and I threw a little bit down, and he didn't swing."
."I wanted to make the out in this situation."
2011年4月10日星期日
lohse-cards-slow-down-giants
It was a memorable weekend of celebrations and honors for the Giants at AT&T Park. But they're sounding plenty ready to be done walking down 2010 Memory Lane and getting on with the business of charting a more focused path for 2011.
"There's no question," said Buster Posey, who was honored in a lavish Rookie of the Year ceremony Sunday before a 6-1 loss to St. Louis in which the young catcher didn't even play. "For me, I know, and I would think most guys would feel like that, too."
As it turned out, the Posey pageantry was as exciting as it got all day for the Giants after two ultra-dramatic victories to open the home season. Cardinals right-hander Kyle Lohse limited the Giants to five singles and a lone run over the first eight innings, and St. Louis finally broke through in a three-run sixth against San Francisco starter Barry Zito and kept adding to it to end the Giants' three-game win streak.
"There might have been a little hangover today," admitted manager Bruce Bochy. "It's been a very emotional first couple of games here."
Without a doubt, while the Giants reveled in the moment of all the ceremonies of their World Series championship, the new season is nine games old now, and several players are ready to stop talking about the past.
"You try and enjoy all this because it's something that doesn't happen very often," said Posey. "But at the same time, I think everybody's looking forward to getting down to business now and getting into the groove of the season."
"It's been a little bit difficult (with all the hoopla) because we don't have time to stretch and prepare for the game," added Pablo Sandoval, who drove in the Giants' run with a first-inning single. "Now it's going to be different."
Indeed, the Dodgers come to town tonight, and perhaps the last real order of old business will be presenting former Giant Juan Uribe his World Series ring. So there will be one last brief ceremony.
"Yeah, but not for us," said Aaron Rowand. "It'll just be for him."
For his own part, after a forgettable 2010, Rowand has become a central figure for the Giants again in 2011. He'll likely be the starting center fielder throughout the Los Angeles series with the uncertainty surrounding Andres Torres. After receiving the MRI report, Bochy said after the game that Torres has a mild left Achilles tendon strain, and the club will keep him in a walking boot until Wednesday and then re-evaluate his situation.
Rowand might have been able to minimize the damage against Zito in the sixth had he been able to haul in Skip Schumaker's deep drive to left-center with two on, one out and a run in. Rowand appeared to have a bead on the ball, but it caromed off his glove. The ball was ruled a double, and two runs scored on the play.
"I took a good angle at it, and I was outstretched, but it just caught the very tip of my glove," he said. "I thought I had it, but it was tailing away from me a little bit."
The upshot was that it resulted in the end of a disappointing day for Zito, who despite some control issues made it through five innings with the score tied 1-1. But after retiring Albert Pujols to start the sixth, he walked Matt Holliday and Allen Craig back-to-back and paid the price. David Freese doubled home one run before the Schumaker shot that broke open the game.
"Just the walks," Zito said. "All day I was battling the timing in my delivery. The ball was getting up, and that's the core of my frustration in the outing was not throwing strikes. I'd been throwing strikes all spring."
Like so many of his teammates, Zito is ready for 2010 closure.
"It's a huge deal what the San Francisco Giants accomplished last year, and it's a huge deal for the city," he said. "But the reality is we have games to win today, tomorrow, the next day. I think the ceremonies were amazing. They did them as good as they could have. But now we can just move forward and focus on the games."
"There's no question," said Buster Posey, who was honored in a lavish Rookie of the Year ceremony Sunday before a 6-1 loss to St. Louis in which the young catcher didn't even play. "For me, I know, and I would think most guys would feel like that, too."
As it turned out, the Posey pageantry was as exciting as it got all day for the Giants after two ultra-dramatic victories to open the home season. Cardinals right-hander Kyle Lohse limited the Giants to five singles and a lone run over the first eight innings, and St. Louis finally broke through in a three-run sixth against San Francisco starter Barry Zito and kept adding to it to end the Giants' three-game win streak.
"There might have been a little hangover today," admitted manager Bruce Bochy. "It's been a very emotional first couple of games here."
Without a doubt, while the Giants reveled in the moment of all the ceremonies of their World Series championship, the new season is nine games old now, and several players are ready to stop talking about the past.
"You try and enjoy all this because it's something that doesn't happen very often," said Posey. "But at the same time, I think everybody's looking forward to getting down to business now and getting into the groove of the season."
"It's been a little bit difficult (with all the hoopla) because we don't have time to stretch and prepare for the game," added Pablo Sandoval, who drove in the Giants' run with a first-inning single. "Now it's going to be different."
Indeed, the Dodgers come to town tonight, and perhaps the last real order of old business will be presenting former Giant Juan Uribe his World Series ring. So there will be one last brief ceremony.
"Yeah, but not for us," said Aaron Rowand. "It'll just be for him."
For his own part, after a forgettable 2010, Rowand has become a central figure for the Giants again in 2011. He'll likely be the starting center fielder throughout the Los Angeles series with the uncertainty surrounding Andres Torres. After receiving the MRI report, Bochy said after the game that Torres has a mild left Achilles tendon strain, and the club will keep him in a walking boot until Wednesday and then re-evaluate his situation.
Rowand might have been able to minimize the damage against Zito in the sixth had he been able to haul in Skip Schumaker's deep drive to left-center with two on, one out and a run in. Rowand appeared to have a bead on the ball, but it caromed off his glove. The ball was ruled a double, and two runs scored on the play.
"I took a good angle at it, and I was outstretched, but it just caught the very tip of my glove," he said. "I thought I had it, but it was tailing away from me a little bit."
The upshot was that it resulted in the end of a disappointing day for Zito, who despite some control issues made it through five innings with the score tied 1-1. But after retiring Albert Pujols to start the sixth, he walked Matt Holliday and Allen Craig back-to-back and paid the price. David Freese doubled home one run before the Schumaker shot that broke open the game.
"Just the walks," Zito said. "All day I was battling the timing in my delivery. The ball was getting up, and that's the core of my frustration in the outing was not throwing strikes. I'd been throwing strikes all spring."
Like so many of his teammates, Zito is ready for 2010 closure.
"It's a huge deal what the San Francisco Giants accomplished last year, and it's a huge deal for the city," he said. "But the reality is we have games to win today, tomorrow, the next day. I think the ceremonies were amazing. They did them as good as they could have. But now we can just move forward and focus on the games."
2011年3月27日星期日
Dario wins IndyCar opener in St. Petersburg
Two-time defending series champion Dario Franchitti won IndyCar's season opener on Sunday, showing he's once again the one to beat in open-wheel racing.
Franchitti grabbed the lead early on and was hardly challenged in the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. The Scottish driver was nearly perfect for 100 laps on the scenic street course, beating pole-sitter Will Power to the finish line by more than seven seconds.
Tony Kanaan, the 2004 series champion who joined his new team Monday, held off Simona de Silvestro over the final few laps for third. De Silvestro enjoyed her best finish in 18 career starts.
Alex Tagliani of Lachenaie, Que., finished sixth.
Danica Patrick was 12th, a disappointing start to her seventh IndyCar season. She drove four races in NASCAR's second-tier series before resuming her full-time IndyCar gig.
She was overshadowed by de Silvestro, who was steady and smart for most of the race.
There was chaos early, but order was restored late as three of IndyCar's top drivers, Franchitti, Power and Kanaan, ended up on the podium.
Nonetheless, the start was what everyone was talking about afterward. There were four full-course cautions in the first 13 laps.
A few hours after teammates Sebastien Bourdais and James Jakes crashed during a warmup session, five cars, all of them from the sport's top three teams, found trouble in the first turn.
Penske teammates Helio Castroneves and Ryan Briscoe were involved, as were two-time series champion Scott Dixon and Andretti Autosport teammates Mike Conway and Marco Andretti.
Andretti drove into Dixon from behind, sending Andretti for a wild ride. He flipped and landed upside down. He escaped without injury, walked toward his pit, paused to watch a huge replay board, then blamed three-time Indy 500 champion Castroneves for the melee.
"Helio just drove it in on all of us," Andretti said. "He missed his braking point by a decent chunk. It's unfortunate."
The race was stopped several more times on restarts, all of them coming under the sport's new rules. In previous years, the series used single-file restarts. But this season, IndyCar switched to double-file restarts similar to those in NASCAR.
Drivers thought those dicey situations would be attractive to fans and figured they also would cause attrition. They were right on both accounts. Fans cheered the first-turn frenzy and several cars sustained damage on restarts.
Andretti questioned the decision.
"That's what happens when you try to imitate NASCAR," he said. "Our cars have too much power to start right nose-to-tail, you know. It creates disasters. It's good for the fans; it's not good for me today."
Patrick ran into trouble before the midway point of the race. She drove into the rear of Justin Wilson on lap 44 and broke her nose wing. Her team fixed it, but she wasn't able to make up ground on the leaders.
Franchitti, meanwhile, was simply pulling away from his closest competitors.
Franchitti edged Power for the championship in last year's season finale and opened 2011 with another strong showing for Chip Ganassi Racing. He took the lead on the third lap, was dominant from there and seemingly could have slowed down over the final few laps to take in the sights on the waterfront drive.
It was Franchitti's first victory, and fifth top-five finish, in six starts at St. Petersburg.
Franchitti grabbed the lead early on and was hardly challenged in the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. The Scottish driver was nearly perfect for 100 laps on the scenic street course, beating pole-sitter Will Power to the finish line by more than seven seconds.
Tony Kanaan, the 2004 series champion who joined his new team Monday, held off Simona de Silvestro over the final few laps for third. De Silvestro enjoyed her best finish in 18 career starts.
Alex Tagliani of Lachenaie, Que., finished sixth.
Danica Patrick was 12th, a disappointing start to her seventh IndyCar season. She drove four races in NASCAR's second-tier series before resuming her full-time IndyCar gig.
She was overshadowed by de Silvestro, who was steady and smart for most of the race.
There was chaos early, but order was restored late as three of IndyCar's top drivers, Franchitti, Power and Kanaan, ended up on the podium.
Nonetheless, the start was what everyone was talking about afterward. There were four full-course cautions in the first 13 laps.
A few hours after teammates Sebastien Bourdais and James Jakes crashed during a warmup session, five cars, all of them from the sport's top three teams, found trouble in the first turn.
Penske teammates Helio Castroneves and Ryan Briscoe were involved, as were two-time series champion Scott Dixon and Andretti Autosport teammates Mike Conway and Marco Andretti.
Andretti drove into Dixon from behind, sending Andretti for a wild ride. He flipped and landed upside down. He escaped without injury, walked toward his pit, paused to watch a huge replay board, then blamed three-time Indy 500 champion Castroneves for the melee.
"Helio just drove it in on all of us," Andretti said. "He missed his braking point by a decent chunk. It's unfortunate."
The race was stopped several more times on restarts, all of them coming under the sport's new rules. In previous years, the series used single-file restarts. But this season, IndyCar switched to double-file restarts similar to those in NASCAR.
Drivers thought those dicey situations would be attractive to fans and figured they also would cause attrition. They were right on both accounts. Fans cheered the first-turn frenzy and several cars sustained damage on restarts.
Andretti questioned the decision.
"That's what happens when you try to imitate NASCAR," he said. "Our cars have too much power to start right nose-to-tail, you know. It creates disasters. It's good for the fans; it's not good for me today."
Patrick ran into trouble before the midway point of the race. She drove into the rear of Justin Wilson on lap 44 and broke her nose wing. Her team fixed it, but she wasn't able to make up ground on the leaders.
Franchitti, meanwhile, was simply pulling away from his closest competitors.
Franchitti edged Power for the championship in last year's season finale and opened 2011 with another strong showing for Chip Ganassi Racing. He took the lead on the third lap, was dominant from there and seemingly could have slowed down over the final few laps to take in the sights on the waterfront drive.
It was Franchitti's first victory, and fifth top-five finish, in six starts at St. Petersburg.
2011年3月21日星期一
Stay Alive is soccer in the USA?
Football is a part of American history in 1609 when the colony of Jamestown (founded by the State of Great Britain) to began a game similar to what we had today as a football play. However it was not until 1862 that a sport in the Ivy League schools formed a conference. There is a brewing controversy that is not yet sufficiently widespread to as a sport.
Salisbury, a New York writer, journalist, and his colleagues believe that football will never be quite popular in the United States.
According to a survey last year regarded by the world of sports, football was as the most popular sport in the United States, basketball, baseball and football. Football to the three sports, cultural changes in the United States. The Council of American football industry had successfully predicted that in the late 1980s, nearly 12 million Americans under 19 years (37% girls) were organized to play football. The football had all the sports in third place behind basketball (first) and volleyball (two). In addition, football for children under 13, finished second in basketball. Before growth and the popularity of football have a strong influence on young professionals need to have models to follow. Therefore, a professional organization be formed.
Since early 1960, the U.S. professional soccer league has had. There were two leagues in the 1960s, but the National Professional Soccer League could not exist by itself, to the National American Soccer League to merge. The U.S. National Soccer League (NASL) was created to increase the popularity of this sport in the United States. The league president Charlie Zarzour make the important decision that affected the growth of soccer in the United States. The league recruited top players from Europe and Africa to play and train players from the United States. Since the NASL expanded to 21 teams in the United States has been strong support with an average of 15,000. A recent survey last year by Fox Sports Net says that the most watched sport on television today are basketball, football, baseball, football, and then. This should prove to skeptics that the popularity of this sport is actually here in the U.S., but only observed.
Participants found it easy to learn, less harmful than American football, and fun for boys and girls. The NASL was to recruit to get the best players in Europe and play for teams in the U.S.. The best players in the NASL were to be European, but also brought to the United States, teachers and role models for young people in the United States. The Europeans have dominated the sport of soccer, but Americans have a greater presence because of the increasing popularity of sport in the United States. These players were originally more interest among young people in all states.
Americans take soccer as a sport in the United States and golf in the American culture has been approved. An argument Salisbury, all in contradiction to his statement and said that football is in the United States as old as baseball and is no more foreign than golf.
Football is a sport not a game is a double-digit finish in the points, but if a match occurs on one side is possible. A cultural development, and one day the United States shows that it can not spend the vast majority of people a long time sitting and watching a game without stirring. Research by attention deficit disorders Universal, Inc. has shown that between 5% and 15% of young people of our attention deficit disorder. With the growth of ADD and other attention disorders, football seems to be seen as impossible to be considered. It is a big difference to the cultural differences between youth in the youth of America and Europe. The Europeans have not been brought about video games and television shows explosive youth thrive in the United States. Video games and television are trying, children, sports, not to mention soccer, you might encounter to create.
Then the other side of American culture is, football as a repetitive, slow to see, and are considered a sport that is not its responsibility. Football has other interesting features that add to the enjoyment of the sport. Reader needs some skills to use Kickball perfect run through a field of 50 meters or slip into a player at full speed and only the ball away from him without crashing into the drive. Football is also very interesting when it comes to the ability of a player is lost at a time. There are certain areas of execution today, the children how to dribble and political theory, as it topped the movements of a player on an individual basis. American Clock and Youth Mix Tapes, a film basketball road through the center of the cities on the movements of not seeing to see the incredible amount of points, but showed, on the movements and the ability of the players. Football is the game of the aspects that are of interest to everyone.
Anyone who enjoys football and hockey love football because of the strong hard physical contact and the absence of platelets.
Those involving the movement of the basketball as it is elegant and fun of football for the same reason. And for those baseball, as well, there really is nothing in football as aspects of baseball.
Salisbury, a New York writer, journalist, and his colleagues believe that football will never be quite popular in the United States.
Since early 1960, the U.S. professional soccer league has had. There were two leagues in the 1960s, but the National Professional Soccer League could not exist by itself, to the National American Soccer League to merge. The U.S. National Soccer League (NASL) was created to increase the popularity of this sport in the United States. The league president Charlie Zarzour make the important decision that affected the growth of soccer in the United States. The league recruited top players from Europe and Africa to play and train players from the United States. Since the NASL expanded to 21 teams in the United States has been strong support with an average of 15,000. A recent survey last year by Fox Sports Net says that the most watched sport on television today are basketball, football, baseball, football, and then. This should prove to skeptics that the popularity of this sport is actually here in the U.S., but only observed.
Participants found it easy to learn, less harmful than American football, and fun for boys and girls. The NASL was to recruit to get the best players in Europe and play for teams in the U.S.. The best players in the NASL were to be European, but also brought to the United States, teachers and role models for young people in the United States. The Europeans have dominated the sport of soccer, but Americans have a greater presence because of the increasing popularity of sport in the United States. These players were originally more interest among young people in all states.
Americans take soccer as a sport in the United States and golf in the American culture has been approved. An argument Salisbury, all in contradiction to his statement and said that football is in the United States as old as baseball and is no more foreign than golf.
Football is a sport not a game is a double-digit finish in the points, but if a match occurs on one side is possible. A cultural development, and one day the United States shows that it can not spend the vast majority of people a long time sitting and watching a game without stirring. Research by attention deficit disorders Universal, Inc. has shown that between 5% and 15% of young people of our attention deficit disorder. With the growth of ADD and other attention disorders, football seems to be seen as impossible to be considered. It is a big difference to the cultural differences between youth in the youth of America and Europe. The Europeans have not been brought about video games and television shows explosive youth thrive in the United States. Video games and television are trying, children, sports, not to mention soccer, you might encounter to create.
Then the other side of American culture is, football as a repetitive, slow to see, and are considered a sport that is not its responsibility. Football has other interesting features that add to the enjoyment of the sport. Reader needs some skills to use Kickball perfect run through a field of 50 meters or slip into a player at full speed and only the ball away from him without crashing into the drive. Football is also very interesting when it comes to the ability of a player is lost at a time. There are certain areas of execution today, the children how to dribble and political theory, as it topped the movements of a player on an individual basis. American Clock and Youth Mix Tapes, a film basketball road through the center of the cities on the movements of not seeing to see the incredible amount of points, but showed, on the movements and the ability of the players. Football is the game of the aspects that are of interest to everyone.
Anyone who enjoys football and hockey love football because of the strong hard physical contact and the absence of platelets.
Those involving the movement of the basketball as it is elegant and fun of football for the same reason. And for those baseball, as well, there really is nothing in football as aspects of baseball.
2011年3月13日星期日
Body Jewelry – Irresistibly Modish
Piercing is a common pastime of the present generation. as an ornament of body jewelry for women is a thing of the past. Well, as boys and girls to step up your look with body jewelry. So what kind of body jewelry is hot right now?
History shows that body jewelry has been used to provide power, status, wealth and beauty to the end. If you happen to understand the Egyptian culture or Indian culture, which is sure how the body jewelry kings and queens is limited return.
Body piercing is not only for the ear and nose points now limited. shows the expression of the free body jewelry and unique. There are different views and scientific facts you to piercings and all are valid to some degree.
The pain you go through the hole, everything gets smaller, if one dazzling body jewelry to get dramatic and sensual. Navel of the sea, your ears, eyebrows, tongue, or body part pierced, it is useful to look irresistible.
Shopping for body jewelry can be tedious when you buy locally. Online body jewelry purchase is simple, fast and can always be done in the comfort of your home. The website is a portal http://www.bodystuds.com shopping because there are dozens of exclusive designs to choose from. They have a variety of suspension belly rings, navel rings, nose rings, body jewelry zodiac rings, tongue jewelry and many other sporting organizations.
The rings that adorn the belly of the NFL, there's no better way to bring your madness, intrigue and loyalty of the National Football League (NFL) for expression. With 300 belly rings to choose and decide the NFL, it can certainly be difficult. What makes the body more reliably ensure asparagus is licensed NFL belly body jewelry dealers that their customers better.
Particularly memorable is what you are looking for a gift for your sweetheart. The search ends here with this exotic body jewelry selection. The best is saved for last and it is with body spikes that allow you free shipping on your body jewelry for you. Therefore, look no further, give your body a nail piercing eyes!
History shows that body jewelry has been used to provide power, status, wealth and beauty to the end. If you happen to understand the Egyptian culture or Indian culture, which is sure how the body jewelry kings and queens is limited return.
Body piercing is not only for the ear and nose points now limited. shows the expression of the free body jewelry and unique. There are different views and scientific facts you to piercings and all are valid to some degree.
The pain you go through the hole, everything gets smaller, if one dazzling body jewelry to get dramatic and sensual. Navel of the sea, your ears, eyebrows, tongue, or body part pierced, it is useful to look irresistible.
Shopping for body jewelry can be tedious when you buy locally. Online body jewelry purchase is simple, fast and can always be done in the comfort of your home. The website is a portal http://www.bodystuds.com shopping because there are dozens of exclusive designs to choose from. They have a variety of suspension belly rings, navel rings, nose rings, body jewelry zodiac rings, tongue jewelry and many other sporting organizations.
The rings that adorn the belly of the NFL, there's no better way to bring your madness, intrigue and loyalty of the National Football League (NFL) for expression. With 300 belly rings to choose and decide the NFL, it can certainly be difficult. What makes the body more reliably ensure asparagus is licensed NFL belly body jewelry dealers that their customers better.
Particularly memorable is what you are looking for a gift for your sweetheart. The search ends here with this exotic body jewelry selection. The best is saved for last and it is with body spikes that allow you free shipping on your body jewelry for you. Therefore, look no further, give your body a nail piercing eyes!
2011年3月6日星期日
Mobilize various jobs in football
The diversity of employment opportunities for soccer is increasing every day. With advances in the power of the Internet for information on jobs in the game was just simple and straightforward. In addition, the employment opportunities for high school football coach major axis of the young professionals has grown in this area. There are several sites to facilitate the online application. Not just for jobs in football, but in almost all types of jobs, recruitment was possible online. I choose what I found this theme, a different and more interesting for everyone. Football fever is no stranger to anyone. If you want to speak to college, there will be more than 150 soccer teams. First National also we have 32 teams, great competition.
The analysis of these data can not be found, the work environment have the majority? But in every team there is only one trainer. Therefore, this means himself the coach is the only category in the work of the football? What other job in football? Through this article I will try to make this obvious error, and share interesting work that can make for professional football.
Let's start with the types of jobs in the first football class. The various professional groups include the exploration of football ticket sales for sporting events, operations manager, football promotions, merchandising jobs in other football and numerous. I take them one by one. want to see a ball of the exploration work of a very interesting person, the football games. A football scout is a person, the parties, the talents of some players in the game and evaluate the best contacted to join his club are supported. So if you enjoy football, you can choose to become a football scout. The second category is the ticket. If you have a good size sales, the work for you is most appropriate. You can even go for football ticket sales part time.
Next category is operations manager. Work Operations Manager works in football as a person makes managing events. It must be the day enjoyable and attractive game. It does not work alone. This work is done in teams. Therefore creates create so many jobs. Another reason is the promotion. The promotion of an event or product is still a lot of effort. The same applies to the promotion of football. Marketing is hard work. But it has many possibilities. Therefore, for the person who is an expert in marketing has to offer in the field of the promotion of football a lot. Finally, working as a football coach. It's like the work of a teacher. There are many jobs to coach high school football in the United Kingdom. In almost all schools, colleges and universities, he is a football coach. You can find information to any other Online jobs in football. Jobs in football is a reliable website that offers all types of employment opportunities in the jobs of football in almost all categories. They also provide jobs as a high-school football coach.
Let's start with the types of jobs in the first football class. The various professional groups include the exploration of football ticket sales for sporting events, operations manager, football promotions, merchandising jobs in other football and numerous. I take them one by one. want to see a ball of the exploration work of a very interesting person, the football games. A football scout is a person, the parties, the talents of some players in the game and evaluate the best contacted to join his club are supported. So if you enjoy football, you can choose to become a football scout. The second category is the ticket. If you have a good size sales, the work for you is most appropriate. You can even go for football ticket sales part time.
Next category is operations manager. Work Operations Manager works in football as a person makes managing events. It must be the day enjoyable and attractive game. It does not work alone. This work is done in teams. Therefore creates create so many jobs. Another reason is the promotion. The promotion of an event or product is still a lot of effort. The same applies to the promotion of football. Marketing is hard work. But it has many possibilities. Therefore, for the person who is an expert in marketing has to offer in the field of the promotion of football a lot. Finally, working as a football coach. It's like the work of a teacher. There are many jobs to coach high school football in the United Kingdom. In almost all schools, colleges and universities, he is a football coach. You can find information to any other Online jobs in football. Jobs in football is a reliable website that offers all types of employment opportunities in the jobs of football in almost all categories. They also provide jobs as a high-school football coach.
For details, kindly visit:http://www.ecwebcom.com
2011年3月4日星期五
Slime Soccer - History and how to play
Slime Soccer is created by Quin Pendragon in 2002. It was a team of first year science students at the University of Western Australia. The games began with competitions among students. The increasing popularity in recent years thanks to the Internet, has the game evolved and spread around the world and more people coming into the game since its humble beginnings.
There are two modes: single player and two player mode. In solo mode, you have the World Cup Slime Soccer Tournament contest and beat their opponents in the next round until you defeat them all and win the world championship. During the two-player mode offers a platform for you to challenge your friends to see who is better. To win the game, the goal is to score as many goals as possible against the enemy in time.
Slime Soccer Game is a party with mud. Football is a game based on Java with the gameplay very simple, almost everyone in a position to learn and this in about 5 to 10 minutes. The game is a simple two-dimensional with normal keys and control card number, (forward, backward, jump and catch) from three navigation keys and an action is.
It's like playing soccer Slime: First, make sure that you have installed Java software on your computer. Java Runtime Environment is entitled to play in a safe environment.
Skip this step if the device was installed with Java. You must then choose the duration of the game. Select Play Slime Soccer World Cup Tournament, if you want a single player game. Challenger http://www.articlealley.com/article_967304_32.html?ktrack=kcplink see more about themselves, how we can improve.
Here are the instructions and buttons to play the game
Keys to Slime Soccer: Player 1: Left - A, Jump - W, Right - D, grave - S.
I Right - - Links - J, Jump L, grave - K.: Team 2
B to enable double-buffering (makes it blink slower, but no).
Title Screen: Click a button to decide game length, or choose World Cup / K to change identity to your favorite team for the World Cup.
6 superslimeness l'interrupteur.
Slime soccer game can reduce feelings of stress after a hard day's work. No need to think much, just a spontaneous reaction to play and master the game. That a soccer slime games more interesting for the present.
There are two modes: single player and two player mode. In solo mode, you have the World Cup Slime Soccer Tournament contest and beat their opponents in the next round until you defeat them all and win the world championship. During the two-player mode offers a platform for you to challenge your friends to see who is better. To win the game, the goal is to score as many goals as possible against the enemy in time.
Slime Soccer Game is a party with mud. Football is a game based on Java with the gameplay very simple, almost everyone in a position to learn and this in about 5 to 10 minutes. The game is a simple two-dimensional with normal keys and control card number, (forward, backward, jump and catch) from three navigation keys and an action is.
It's like playing soccer Slime: First, make sure that you have installed Java software on your computer. Java Runtime Environment is entitled to play in a safe environment.
Skip this step if the device was installed with Java. You must then choose the duration of the game. Select Play Slime Soccer World Cup Tournament, if you want a single player game. Challenger http://www.articlealley.com/article_967304_32.html?ktrack=kcplink see more about themselves, how we can improve.
Here are the instructions and buttons to play the game
Keys to Slime Soccer: Player 1: Left - A, Jump - W, Right - D, grave - S.
I Right - - Links - J, Jump L, grave - K.: Team 2
B to enable double-buffering (makes it blink slower, but no).
Title Screen: Click a button to decide game length, or choose World Cup / K to change identity to your favorite team for the World Cup.
6 superslimeness l'interrupteur.
Slime soccer game can reduce feelings of stress after a hard day's work. No need to think much, just a spontaneous reaction to play and master the game. That a soccer slime games more interesting for the present.
2011年2月24日星期四
Arizona lacks true point guard -- and smart shot selection
It’s also true this was an opportunity misspent. In a 65-57 loss to Southern California at the Galen Center, the Wildcats got only 8 points from their All-America candidate, Derrick Williams, and 9 from their second option, guard MoMo Jones. They shot 35.8 percent from the field mostly because they didn’t work all that hard to do better.
If Arizona is to become a team to fear on the NCAA Tournament bracket, its progression will need to continue by first addressing this two-word phrase: shot selection.
Certainly the Trojans guarded Arizona hard, at least they did for the few seconds of the shot clock that were expended on each Wildcats possession, particularly in the first half. Bigs Alex Stepheson and Nikola Vucevic challenged Williams and made it difficult for him to get access to the ball in dangerous situations, so those around him fired up a numbing series of one-pass jump shots.
The Wildcats missed eight of their first nine 3-pointers, and it was no wonder because so many of those shots were fired off balance, with USC defenders in their faces. This is where Arizona misses having a natural point guard to take command, to generate high-quality shots, to settle down overzealous teammates.
Jones is not a natural in any of these areas. He has become proficient in terms of getting the Wildcats into their passing-game offense without turning over the ball. He hasn’t had more than three turnovers in a game since early January, and only hit that number twice in the last month. Not bad for a converted scoring guard.
He is not actually in charge of the Arizona offense, though. No one seems to be. Coach Sean Miller calls the action he wants to be run with a simple signal from the sideline, and he was a heck of a point guard in his day, but without someone on the floor assuring the team gets the most out of every trip, the Wildcats will struggle against elite opposition.
It’s not as though Arizona can’t score. The Wildcats rang up 87 points in last weekend’s victory over Washington. They’re averaging 76.4 points in Pac-10 play. But with all the Big East teams likely to enter the Tournament, the odds are pretty good the Wildcats end up playing somebody who plays Kevin O’Neill-style defense. They can’t react like this.
By the time Arizona began to take a serious approach to offense, it was in a 5-point second half hole that quite easily could have been a double-digit lead.
USC did not gain its advantage by playing brilliantly. The Trojans missed at least four uncontested layups and hit only one of their 10 attempts from 3-point range. One of the key plays in their dominance of the initial portion of the second half occurred when guard Jio Fontan airballed a jump shot, but Stepheson rebounded and converted a layup, drawing a foul for a 3-point play and 37-34 lead.
The Wildcats were in a 44-all tie when Williams began to take the approach that any drive of his was likely to be an improvement over the average Arizona trip in this game. He scooped in a layup the first time down, then drew a foul and made a couple of free throws the next time down. But this revelation, that there might be one hole in the USC defense, did not register with his teammates. Williams didn’t get another look on the next four trips.
The game turned on what was, on this night, a typically empty Arizona possession. Williams got one touch above the circle, but the lane was clogged by a teammate posting up and the opponent defending him. The Wildcats got tied up but had the arrow in their favor, but after inbounding could not get off a shot before the 35 seconds lapsed.
Arizona’s defenders didn’t bother to double-team Vucevic down the stretch as they had for much of the game, and he took advantage by scoring six consecutive points that tied it at 56. When Stepheson and Marcus Simmons rejected consecutive layup attempts by Jones, the Trojans made four free throws in a row to take a 60-56 lead.
Was this a tough road loss for Arizona?
It was an unnecessary road loss, for sure.
If Arizona is to become a team to fear on the NCAA Tournament bracket, its progression will need to continue by first addressing this two-word phrase: shot selection.Certainly the Trojans guarded Arizona hard, at least they did for the few seconds of the shot clock that were expended on each Wildcats possession, particularly in the first half. Bigs Alex Stepheson and Nikola Vucevic challenged Williams and made it difficult for him to get access to the ball in dangerous situations, so those around him fired up a numbing series of one-pass jump shots.
The Wildcats missed eight of their first nine 3-pointers, and it was no wonder because so many of those shots were fired off balance, with USC defenders in their faces. This is where Arizona misses having a natural point guard to take command, to generate high-quality shots, to settle down overzealous teammates.
Jones is not a natural in any of these areas. He has become proficient in terms of getting the Wildcats into their passing-game offense without turning over the ball. He hasn’t had more than three turnovers in a game since early January, and only hit that number twice in the last month. Not bad for a converted scoring guard.
He is not actually in charge of the Arizona offense, though. No one seems to be. Coach Sean Miller calls the action he wants to be run with a simple signal from the sideline, and he was a heck of a point guard in his day, but without someone on the floor assuring the team gets the most out of every trip, the Wildcats will struggle against elite opposition.
It’s not as though Arizona can’t score. The Wildcats rang up 87 points in last weekend’s victory over Washington. They’re averaging 76.4 points in Pac-10 play. But with all the Big East teams likely to enter the Tournament, the odds are pretty good the Wildcats end up playing somebody who plays Kevin O’Neill-style defense. They can’t react like this.
By the time Arizona began to take a serious approach to offense, it was in a 5-point second half hole that quite easily could have been a double-digit lead.
USC did not gain its advantage by playing brilliantly. The Trojans missed at least four uncontested layups and hit only one of their 10 attempts from 3-point range. One of the key plays in their dominance of the initial portion of the second half occurred when guard Jio Fontan airballed a jump shot, but Stepheson rebounded and converted a layup, drawing a foul for a 3-point play and 37-34 lead.
The Wildcats were in a 44-all tie when Williams began to take the approach that any drive of his was likely to be an improvement over the average Arizona trip in this game. He scooped in a layup the first time down, then drew a foul and made a couple of free throws the next time down. But this revelation, that there might be one hole in the USC defense, did not register with his teammates. Williams didn’t get another look on the next four trips.
The game turned on what was, on this night, a typically empty Arizona possession. Williams got one touch above the circle, but the lane was clogged by a teammate posting up and the opponent defending him. The Wildcats got tied up but had the arrow in their favor, but after inbounding could not get off a shot before the 35 seconds lapsed.
Arizona’s defenders didn’t bother to double-team Vucevic down the stretch as they had for much of the game, and he took advantage by scoring six consecutive points that tied it at 56. When Stepheson and Marcus Simmons rejected consecutive layup attempts by Jones, the Trojans made four free throws in a row to take a 60-56 lead.
Was this a tough road loss for Arizona?
It was an unnecessary road loss, for sure.
2011年2月15日星期二
Cardinals, Pujols unlikely to reach deal before Wednesday deadline
The St. Louis Cardinals have made a spirited last-ditch effort to sign Albert Pujols before his self-imposed noon deadline Wednesday, offering him an eight-year contract believed to be worth in excess of $200 million, people familiar with the talks told SI.com. However, several people connected to the negotiations believe the sides will not have an agreement in place before the deadline, setting the stage for free agency at year's end for the three-time NL MVP.
According to sources, the Cardinals' latest offer is short of $30 million per year. Pujols, 31, has been seeking a deal greater than the record 10-year, $275 million contract that Alex Rodrguez signed with the New York Yankees before the 2008 season.
Both sides have made concessions during talks that have stretched over months, but in recent days no one was expressing great hope for a quick resolution.
While the main goal for Pujols was always to top A-Rod, Pujols' agent Dan Lozano at one point in the negotiation with the Cardinals proposed that part of a deal include a piece of the storied team for Pujols, which would have made Pujols a player/part owner, in just one of the attempts by either side that still appears to be going nowhere.
Hours before the noon deadline, there is little evidence the sides will bridge the large gap that has separated them for months. While the Cardinals' exact offer is not known, it presumably has to be higher per year than the $25 million salary the Phillies gave Ryan Howard last season.
Lozano's apparently unsuccessful attempt to acquire a piece of the team is unconventional and perhaps even unprecedented, but it is not explicitly disallowed by baseball rules, which only prohibit part ownership of a competing team by a player. Had Cardinals owner Bill DeWitt agreed to take Pujols as a limited partner, commissioner Bud Selig would have had to approve the complicated arrangement, which would have had to allow for a provision for transfer of Pujols' shares in the event he were later traded (although for a practical matter, that may not have mattered since Pujols already has veto rights over trades as a 10-and-5 player). So while Lozano's request wasn't technically impossible, it would have complicated things.
Lozano, as well as Cardinals owner Bill DeWitt and general manager John Mozeliak have been scarce in recent days as they've been sought to talk publicly about negotiations -- though that shouldn't necessarily be taken as a sign they are busy making serious progress. A source familiar with the talks suggested the sides were "speaking different languages" as of a week ago, and so far apart in talks that a deal by Pujols' deadline had virtually no chance of being completed by Wednesday. Pujols' camp has said that if no deal is done by Wednesday, he will not discuss money with the team during the season, almost guaranteeing he will become a free agent.
In a brief interview with SI.com last Novermber, DeWitt expressed his belief that the Yankees must regret their $275 million investment in A-Rod, though the Yankees have not said that's the case. The Yankees are also in better position to do a longer deal since they will have the DH as an option in the last years of Rodriguez's contract.
Cardinals manager Tony La Russa opined Tuesday that the players union is trying to coerce Pujols to try to go for a record contract in free agency, an assertion that players union chief Michael Weiner denied. La Russa, a lawyer as well as a manger, might just be trying to set things up for blame for someone other than his Cardinals or his favorite player should a deal not get done.
"It's not accurate at all. We've had no conversations with Albert Pujols or Dan Lozano about the numbers of the contract," Weiner said in a phone interview. "Albert is a sophisticated and experienced player and he has a very experienced agent."
Other teams are not allowed to discuss publicly Pujols' situation, but speculation around the game is that Pujols may be able to get his 10-year deal elsewhere, perhaps even from the Chicago Cubs. Two competing executives said they believe the Cubs, who have the resources and need, not to mention several big contracts coming off their books after the season, to do a monster deal to steal the greatest star from their archrivals.
Should Pujols become free, there's no telling who may get involved. But while he would be extremely coveted by many teams, one person familiar with the thinking of the Yankees, the biggest free-agent players with the most money, suggested that star Mark Teixeira's presence would make them an illogical fit for another A-Rod type deal for a first baseman, even an all-time great first baseman.
According to sources, the Cardinals' latest offer is short of $30 million per year. Pujols, 31, has been seeking a deal greater than the record 10-year, $275 million contract that Alex Rodrguez signed with the New York Yankees before the 2008 season.Both sides have made concessions during talks that have stretched over months, but in recent days no one was expressing great hope for a quick resolution.
While the main goal for Pujols was always to top A-Rod, Pujols' agent Dan Lozano at one point in the negotiation with the Cardinals proposed that part of a deal include a piece of the storied team for Pujols, which would have made Pujols a player/part owner, in just one of the attempts by either side that still appears to be going nowhere.
Hours before the noon deadline, there is little evidence the sides will bridge the large gap that has separated them for months. While the Cardinals' exact offer is not known, it presumably has to be higher per year than the $25 million salary the Phillies gave Ryan Howard last season.
Lozano's apparently unsuccessful attempt to acquire a piece of the team is unconventional and perhaps even unprecedented, but it is not explicitly disallowed by baseball rules, which only prohibit part ownership of a competing team by a player. Had Cardinals owner Bill DeWitt agreed to take Pujols as a limited partner, commissioner Bud Selig would have had to approve the complicated arrangement, which would have had to allow for a provision for transfer of Pujols' shares in the event he were later traded (although for a practical matter, that may not have mattered since Pujols already has veto rights over trades as a 10-and-5 player). So while Lozano's request wasn't technically impossible, it would have complicated things.
Lozano, as well as Cardinals owner Bill DeWitt and general manager John Mozeliak have been scarce in recent days as they've been sought to talk publicly about negotiations -- though that shouldn't necessarily be taken as a sign they are busy making serious progress. A source familiar with the talks suggested the sides were "speaking different languages" as of a week ago, and so far apart in talks that a deal by Pujols' deadline had virtually no chance of being completed by Wednesday. Pujols' camp has said that if no deal is done by Wednesday, he will not discuss money with the team during the season, almost guaranteeing he will become a free agent.
In a brief interview with SI.com last Novermber, DeWitt expressed his belief that the Yankees must regret their $275 million investment in A-Rod, though the Yankees have not said that's the case. The Yankees are also in better position to do a longer deal since they will have the DH as an option in the last years of Rodriguez's contract.
Cardinals manager Tony La Russa opined Tuesday that the players union is trying to coerce Pujols to try to go for a record contract in free agency, an assertion that players union chief Michael Weiner denied. La Russa, a lawyer as well as a manger, might just be trying to set things up for blame for someone other than his Cardinals or his favorite player should a deal not get done.
"It's not accurate at all. We've had no conversations with Albert Pujols or Dan Lozano about the numbers of the contract," Weiner said in a phone interview. "Albert is a sophisticated and experienced player and he has a very experienced agent."
Other teams are not allowed to discuss publicly Pujols' situation, but speculation around the game is that Pujols may be able to get his 10-year deal elsewhere, perhaps even from the Chicago Cubs. Two competing executives said they believe the Cubs, who have the resources and need, not to mention several big contracts coming off their books after the season, to do a monster deal to steal the greatest star from their archrivals.
Should Pujols become free, there's no telling who may get involved. But while he would be extremely coveted by many teams, one person familiar with the thinking of the Yankees, the biggest free-agent players with the most money, suggested that star Mark Teixeira's presence would make them an illogical fit for another A-Rod type deal for a first baseman, even an all-time great first baseman.
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