Reds look-alikes
C. Trent's blog
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Xavier news
Cincinnati – FSN Ohio and Xavier University have reached a multi-year television rights agreement extending the long-term relationship between the school and the network. It was announced today by Steve Liverani, Senior Vice President and General Manager, FSN Ohio, and, Mike Bobinski, Athletic Director, Xavier University. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Under terms of the agreement, FSN Ohio will continue to televise 15.............
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Wright St news
Wright State University has awarded a new six-year contract to men’s
basketball coach Brad Brownell. The new deal signed by Brownell extends
his contract with the University through the 2013-14 season.
“My family and I are grateful for the confidence and support shown by
the University and we hope we can build on the success we have
established........
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Bengals moves
The Bengals today terminated the contract of CB Blue Adams, releasing him to free agency. A fifth-year NFL player in 2008, Adams played in 13 games last season in his first year with the Bengals. He recorded seven tackles on defense, 11 special teams tackles and a special teams forced fumble.
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The Caleb Campbell debate
Soldiers respond when duty calls...no exception, Mike Freeman, CBS Sports
Army's end-arond o Campbell is obscene, Gregg Doyel, CBS Sports
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Let the debate begin: XU 17, UC 19
ESPN
Did you know? Before Bob Huggins' arrival in 1989, the Bearcats were dreadful. In 16 seasons under Huggins, they were a 20-win team 14 times and made the Final Four in his third season on campus. Now it is considered an elite program despite the recent struggles as it has transitioned to the Big East.
Did you know? Xavier is the highest-ranked school without a Final Four appearance. The Musketeers have made the postseason in 20 of 24 seasons, including two Elite Eight appearances. They had the best record in their conference 12 times, which certainly helped their profile.
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Gotta love this guy
Denver Post
Smith, who will make his retirement official this afternoon during a Dove Valley news conference, caught more passes for more yards and more touchdowns than anyone else in Broncos history. But he never danced. Not once. It wasn't who he was, how he played, what he stood for. "I didn't have any dances, I didn't spike the ball, I didn't say 'Hey, look at me,' " Smith said. "And the reason is I knew those other10 guys had more to do with it than I did. I was just the end result."
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Bronson to the Rockies?
Rockie Mountain News
The Reds have indicated a willingness to pick up part of the salary if the teams could agree on the personnel.
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OSU is the Big 10 pick
Park Ridge, Ill. - The Big Ten Conference announced today that Ohio State has been selected as the preseason favorite among members of the media attending the conference's football media day. Wisconsin was chosen to place second, while Illinois was selected third. The Big Ten announces only the top three teams in its preseason poll. The voting members of the media also honored Ohio State running back Chris Wells as the Preseason Offensive Player of the Year while teammate and linebacker James Laurinaitis was tabbed Preseason Defensive Player of the Year for the second-consecutive season.
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The Wire Season 3
We watched the first episode last night. Loved the scene of Stringer Bell discussing his business plan with his drug runners. He's behind a church pulpit with a cup of tea in his hand. Classic. Love that character.
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Show preview
Reds: What would you do with Bronson? Dunn?
Sports Magazines: The changing landscape of how we get your sports info
Bengals
Favorite Sports Venue
Army/NFL
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What to do?
One of the biggest factors that must seperate those running an organization from those who are fans is......emotion. We, as fans, ride the roller coaster....happy during the highs of winning streaks, bummed and angry during the lows of losing streaks. Imagine how many players/managers/coaches you have wanted fired, traded or released during the lows.
Now imagine if the organization had granted your wish at those moments. How many regrets would you have? Consider how many times in the last couple of years you wanted Dunn traded and then wanted Dunn resigned. Consider your feelings for Arroyo after he allowed 10 runs in one inning. Fans operate that way...on emotion.....organizations can't.
So, are playears like Arroyo and Dunn stocks that are at their highest and perfect for dealing? Are they gold to hang onto or fool's gold to make the best deal for?
Consider:
Arroyo in June 1-3 8.26, 10 hr's allowed in 28.1 innings, league hit .347
Arroyo in July 3-0 3.32, 1 hr allowed in 19 innings, league hitting .229
Dunn in June .161, 39 k's in 87 ab's....slugging % .425, 6 hr's 12 rbi's
Dunn in July .291, 15 k's in 55 ab's .....slugging % .745, 8 hr's 15 rbi's
Take the emotional ride out. One week from the trading deadline. What do you do?
What is the plan? What matters most? Is it making a run for 82+ wins and a winning season? Is it making this team better for the future? How does the need to sell tickets for August/September compared to selling them for 2009? Which helps the team more...trading players or keeping players? Trading players has brought the Reds the likes of Harang, Volquez, Bray, Thompson, Maloney. Can you keep guys and still fix other areas? Does trading guys simply create other areas that will need fixing?
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Exit strategy for Jr
Kind of pushed to back burner of the Reds talk is Jr's future. Wouldn't it appear a safe bet that he will not be brought back? Can you see the Reds picking up his 16.5 million dollar option?
If they don't, they must pay him a 4-million dollar buyout. But how does his stay here end?
I thought of this yesterday on the anniversary of the 3-year 27-million dollar deal given to Barry Larkin. Up to that point it appeared Larkin's days were over here.....and the crowd that day gave him a standing ovation as a sendoff.
Do you trade Jr?
Do you tell him he's not coming back and plan a Jr Day at the end of the year?
Much is said of the final playing days of athletes in this city and how those days were handled by the organizations and the fans. What would your exit strategy for Jr be?
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Putting sports magazines in perspective
Emailer John
"I thought magazines only existed still in waiting rooms for doctors and
dentists. I can't believe hardly anyone still subscribes to magazines. If I
wanted to read old news I could go to the library and check out the old
publications.
I'm 24 and the magazine thing is definitely generational. I remember reading SI
and ESPN when I was a kid, but nowadays I would never subscribe to a magazine.
The info is outdated by time it is print (who wants to read about the last
weekend's football games by the time it is Thursday when you get SI?). Plus,
why would I pay to read old news? The news is on the internet instantly and it
is free to read most magazine articles on the websites. My parents, on the
other hand, still susbribe to about 5 or 6 publications. You will probably
never see your kids get a magazine subscription."
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Do you still read sports magazines?
Check out the story below about how The Sporting News is changing to keep up with the times. I've subscribed to the publication since I was 8 or 9 years old. I remember reading guys like Joe Falls and Furman Bischer. I have old issues in boxes in my basement.
I used to love to read all the boxscores in the back of it. I even wrote a letter to the editor that was published about how it was silly to compare the 1984 Tigers to the Big Red Machine.
It's amazing to consider how much the publication has changed in look and feel over the years. It's changing because we want news now....this minute....not tomorrow...not at the end of the week.
I've subscribed to SI for over 30 years. I still remember the swimsuit issue with Cheryl Tiegs in the fishnet suit. I have World Series issues from '75-76 in my basement. But my interest in SI has really dropped over the years. It just doesn't do as much for me anymore.
Ironically I find myself reading the print edition of The Enquirer more and more, because it's easier than navigating their new website.
I remember loving the concept of The National. It was a daily sports only newspaper. It ran into distribution and time zone issues and faded. I remember when USA Today first came out and loving the idea of a national sports section.
I subscribe to The Sporting News, SI, Sports Weekly, ESPN The Magazine, TIME, Blender, Esquire, GQ, Entertainment Weekly, FHM, Pro Football Weekly, Maxim, USA Today and The Enquirer. Why so many? I use them for possible show topics. But I find myself going to the web more and more. Otherwise the info is simply old by the time it arrives in my mailbox. How about you?
The Sporting News makes a digital pitch
"Once, it carried the name The Sporting News, was known as "The Bible of Baseball" and arrived in your mailbox weekly.
Now, the 122-year-old publication is called Sporting News, covers all sports and, as of Sept. 1, will become a bi-weekly publication.
It also will be available via e-mail with Sporting News Today.
The free daily digital publication launches Wednesday with the goal of "reinventing the way die-hard sports fans get their news," publisher Ed Baker says.
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Delivery room news
Congrats to Todd Curless of Homer Sales and his wife. They welcomed Lindsey Dimitria Curless to the family. She was born this morning (7/24) at 12:51 am...tipping the scales at 8 lbs 6 oz.
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Best Bengals nickname: The Swamp Rat
Ludwig at Large
.....my favorite Bengals nickname belongs to former University of Tennessee quarterback Dewey Warren...
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HS football news
St. Xavier High School head football coach Steve Specht ('86) will serve as defensive coordinator under head coach Chuck Kyle of Cleveland St. Ignatius for USA Football's inaugural junior national team competing in the International Federation of American Football Junior World Championships in 2009. The tournament will be June 27 to July 5 at Fawcett Stadium in Canton, site of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
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Army does an about face
Chicago Tribune
Caleb Campbell was a day away from practicing with the Detroit Lions and taking a step toward his dream of playing in the NFL. "He was issued a helmet, ready to go," coach Rod Marinelli said Wednesday.
Now, Campbell is closer to joining his fellow West Point graduates in Iraq or Afghanistan.
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It's aye, aye for the Buckeyes
Chicago Sun Times
There's no truth to the rumor that the Ohio State Buckeyes plan to change their name to the Ohio State Bridesmaids. But the Scarlet and Gray is a popular pick to come up short in the BCS national championship game for a third consecutive season.
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Mauk can practice
Bill Koch, Enquirer
"I'm still allowed to work out with the team," Mauk said today, "so I can get myself ready in case something would happen. I'll go to Higher Ground (on Aug. 2) if they haven't made a decision. I'll be out there if I'm getting reps or not. Mental reps are just as important as physical reps."
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Maxim Hometown Hottie
Careful opening
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Colerain product given release by OSU
Columbus Dispatch
Sources close to the Ohio State football program confirmed last night that reserve safety Eugene Clifford has been granted a release that would allow him to pursue his football career at another school.
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Very cool Barkley story
Philadelphia Daily News
Sir Charles told Abate he would like to help him with his tuition, and Abate wasn't sure how to respond. Barkley didn't give him much time, telling Abate that he had the length of Barkley's meal to decide. Abate wisely accepted.
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Jr on Dunn
C. Trent's blog
"No, I'm the lightening rod," Griffey said. "He goes out and plays hard. Other than the 24 other guys in here, people don't know how hard he works. Sometimes he tries too hard and doesn't let it come to him. Nobody in this locker room wants to go up there and strike out or make an out or drop a fly ball. With him, if he doesn't dive for a ball or run into a wall, he gets booed. Some of those balls he doesn't get to, none of us would have gotten to. Sometimes it's better to let it bounce rather than dive and then chase it to the wall."
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On this date
NY Times
Brett, enraged, raced out of the dugout and looked as if he would run over McClelland. Brinkman, however, intercepted him, grabbing him around the neck. "In that situation," Brinkman said later, "you know something's going to happen. It was quite traumatic. He was upset."
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Bronson wants to stay
C. Trent's blog
Very strong comments! See the story and video
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Remember this magazine?
Baseball Digest
I subscribed to it as a kid. I didn't know it still existed. Thanks for Jamie for the heads up.
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Mike Brown moving up?
Yahoo Sports
30. Cincinnati Bengals - Mike Brown: In addition to being among the chintziest owners in major professional sports (as evidenced by his insistence on retaining the league's sparsest scouting department), Brown is a funny man. Alas, I have come to believe that he is an unintentional comic genius. Consider that last May, as Goodell opened discussions about further strengthening of the league's personal conduct policy for all employees, Brown was the only person to speak against it. Recalls one owner: "Mike said, ‘We should each be able to manage our own organization without the league getting involved. If we can't manage it ourselves, we shouldn't be running our businesses.' And we were all laughing to ourselves, because Mike is the one whose organization had more players getting in trouble than anyone else's. He's doing a helluva job."
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When does fan fashion cross the line?
ESPN Page 2
From chest-painters to tan-seekers to fat guys providing comic jiggles, shirtless sports fans are practically an American open-air stadium institution.
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Top 25 Things Vanishing From America
Wallet Pop
The landscape of America is constantly changing. As culture shifts and new technologies and products are introduced, this is to be expected. But some things are impacted more than others and the once-ubiquitous can even become extinct.
