Sports Desk Nation

T-U 2: NASCAR gets much-needed energy boost with Coke Zero 400

Michael Cummings — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 23:43:33 -0400

2 cents

Sometimes, things work out for the NASCAR powers-that-be.

Saturday night, in one of the sport’s top 10 races, one of the sport’s top drivers (Tony Stewart) won the Coke Zero 400 (i.e., the old Firecracker 400) in an old-fashioned way — crashing Kyle Busch or pushing past the attempted block of Busch, take your pick — for one of Stewart’s biggest wins of the year.

T-U 2: Petty is a great driver, but not so great for women's movement

Paris Moulden — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 00:20:19 -0400

2 Cents

Richard Petty is definitely a racing legend, and deserving of all the accolades he received Saturday at Daytona, 25 years after his historic and final NASCAR win there in 1984.

But I have to take Petty to task for comments he made regarding Danica Patrick’s expected move to NASCAR.

“I just don’t think it’s a sport for women, and so far, that’s proved out,” Petty has said of the move.

That’s a pretty narrow-minded and antiquated view if you ask me.

T-U 2: Georgia's gripe about Georgia-Florida game should be about recent performance

Chet Fussman — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 00:19:59 -0400

2 cents

The University of Georgia is considering moving the Florida-Georgia game out of Jacksonville when the contract expires after the 2010 game.

The Bulldogs’ uneasiness is not rooted in money. In fact, it would be costly for Georgia to move the game, which provides a lucrative annual payout for both schools.

T-U 2: Time to pretend we like the Tour de France

Kevin Upright — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:09:41 -0400

2 cents

It’s that glorious time of the year again. Birds are chirping, kids are riding bikes outside and people are pretending they care about cycling. That’s right, it’s time for the Tour de France.

Now, people who really do care about cycling, don’t get all mad and send angry responses. I’m not talking to you.

T-U 2: "Miracle on Ice" still tops soccer

Al Gaspeny — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 23:39:46 -0400

2 cents

I heard the question on the radio Sunday as the United States soccer team took a 2-0 lead before falling to Brazil 3-2 in the Confederations Cup final.

Will this be the equivalent of the “Miracle on Ice,” when the U.S. hockey team stunned the Soviet Union 4-3 in the 1980 Winter Olympics?

With all due respect, no. Even if it had happened.

An American win over Brazil would have been the program’s high-water mark. I cheered for the U.S., and I’m sorry about the loss.

T-U 2: Give a salute to the Steel City

Al Gaspeny — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:06:37 -0400

2 cents

Pittsburgh is my kind of town.

Earlier this month, I traveled with my dad and a family friend to watch our Detroit Tigers play the Pirates in the Steel City.

With its intimate setup and scenic riverfront location, PNC Park is a picturesque place to enjoy a ballgame. I don’t think there’s a bad seat in the house.

Aside from the venue, the people of Pittsburgh were also a hit.

T-U 2: Andy Murray should be feeling the pressure

David Johnson — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 23:31:45 -0400

2 cents

Expectations are high for Roger Federer at Wimbledon, but the 14-time major champion has nothing on Andy Murray.

Murray has a chance to become the first British man to win the title in more than 70 years. And the Queen of England is watching.

Murray, a Scotsman, revealed that he received a letter from Queen Elizabeth II, congratulating him for his win at Queen’s Club and wishing him well for Wimbledon.

T-U 2: Taylor leads list of outspoken ex-Jaguars players

Michael C. Wright — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 00:28:18 -0400

2 Cents

On Page 22 of the June 22 edition of Sporting News magazine, there it is — Fred Taylor, arms stretched wide, huge smile on his face — sporting a New England Patriots uniform.

Talk about odd sights.

T-U 2: Shaq to Cavaliers makes Magic matchup even better

Scott Kendrick — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:21:08 -0400

2 cents

A budding NBA rivalry just was boosted into the stratosphere.

The Orlando Magic upset the playoff darling Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference finals earlier this month, sending LeBron James shaking his head (without shaking hands) and Cleveland fans plotting revenge.

If there was one guy who would get Orlando’s attention, who would it be?

T-U 2: Will Gators fans stand by Meyer when he's losing?

Hays Carlyon — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:08:31 -0400

2 Cents

Last week, I asked whether Georgia fans would continue to stand by Mark Richt if he fell to 2-8 lifetime against Florida after the 2010 season.

T-U 2: Professional sports owners hard to figure sometimes

Chet Fussman — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 23:55:11 -0400

2 cents

Pro sports is filled with eccentric team owners. They can be overbearing (George Steinbrenner), egotistical (Jerry Jones), emotional (Mark Cuban) and perplexing (Al Davis).

But the most intriguing has to be Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss, who celebrated his eighth NBA championship last week.

T-U 2: Money getting in the way of athletic futures

Kevin Upright — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 23:46:24 -0400

2 cents

T-U 2: Even Federer knows no Nadal weakens Wimbledon

David Johnson — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 23:41:13 -0400

2 Cents

The story in tennis Saturday was how “sad” Roger Federer was about Rafael Nadal’s injury.

I can imagine Federer tearing up a little bit with a wide grin on his face, thinking of how his main rival wouldn’t be able to stand in his way at Wimbledon.

But Federer definitely has a big-picture view of the game. He knows his tennis history, so it was probably a bittersweet feeling that his nemesis was out with tendinitis in his knee.

T-U 2: USGA does right thing on tickets - eventually

Chet Fussman — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 00:27:30 -0400

2 Cents

The United States Golf Association did the right thing by amending its U.S. Open ticket policy on Friday, but only after scathing criticism from fans and the media.

Patrons with tickets to Thursday’s mostly washed-out first round were initially told by the USGA they were not entitled to refunds. Nor could they use their tickets (most cost $100) to watch the continuation of the first round on Friday.

T-U 2: How long will Georgia's Richt last not beating Florida?

Hays Carlyon — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 23:55:09 -0400

2 cents

No wonder Georgia’s Mark Richt is crabby about the Florida game being played in Jacksonville. Despite his overall success with the Bulldogs and seemingly safe job status, Richt has to be worried about his 2-6 record against the Gators.

T-U 2: USGA making mistake on Pinehurst scheduling

Garry Smits — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:01:20 -0400

2 Cents

The United States Golf Association has had some good ideas in recent years.

Contesting national championships in consecutive weeks on the same course isn’t one of them.

The USGA said this week it will hold the U.S. Open and the U.S. Women’s Open at Pinehurst No. 2 in North Carolina in 2014 in back-to-back weeks. It might be convenient for logistical purposes (NBC obviously can leave equipment, towers and cables in place), but it’s a terrible idea on several other fronts.