Slate Magazine - Sports Nut

How the NFL became the American war game.

Michael Oriard — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:22:06 EST

On Nov. 8, two hours before the day's blitzes and long bombs were to commence, Fox's NFL pregame show went on the air from Afghanistan. The festivities were high on patriotism but low on militarism, leaving out any hint of blood or fighting. For the U.S. military, the Fox broadcast was an opportunity to tell a story about its humanitarian mission in Afghanistan, to sell the war at home at a time when anything like a clear-cut military victory appears unattainable. For Fox, it was an opportunity to reconnect the NFL with the military, to wrap the football in the American flag after three years of restraint.

[more ...]

Bill Simmons' The Book of Basketball reviewed.

Josh Levin — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:43:07 EST

To hear Josh Levin, Stefan Fatsis, and Mike Pesca discuss The Book of Basketball on Slate's sports podcast "Hang Up and Listen," click the arrow on the audio player below and fast-forward to the 27:30 mark:

[more ...]

How the old-as-dirt New York Yankees won the 2009 World Series.

Tim Marchman — Thu, 5 Nov 2009 10:07:52 EST

What's the lesson of the 2009 New York Yankees? With the Bronx Bombers taking an early 7-1 lead in Game 6, we had more time than usual to bat around the clichés of sports championships to see which ones might fit. Had the Yankees redeemed the long suffering of their supporters? Did they stand for youthful vigor or quiet professionalism? Did they represent the idea that pride and excellence can't be bought and sold—or the exact opposite?

[more ...]

Dispatch from Game 1 of the 2009 World Series.

Josh Levin — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 09:31:22 EST

NEW YORK CITY—In the ninth inning of the first game of the 2009 World Series, Alex Rodriguez comes to bat with the Yankees trailing by five runs. After a postseason full of late-inning, game-changing home runs, A-Rod has finally lived down to pre-October expectations of A-Fraudulence. In his first three at-bats against Phillies ace Cliff Lee, the New York third baseman flailed away pitifully, striking out swinging in his first two at-bats and grounding out weakly his third time up. This time, with the count 1-2 and the first World Series game at the new Yankee Stadium all but over, a frustrated fan just to my left speaks up. "C'mon, you son of a bitch!" he heckles wearily. Rodriguez swings and misses at the next pitch, and the Yankees lose to the Phillies 6-1.

[more ...]

Integrating Major League Baseball retroactively with Strat-o-Matic cards.

Edward McClelland — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:59:22 EST

It's the bottom of the ninth in the Bronx. The Yankees are tied 5-5 with the Dodgers, and Babe Ruth is coming to the plate with two men on and two out. Future Hall of Famer Oscar Charleston is on first base. Tony Lazzeri is on third. And on the mound for Brooklyn is Martin Dihigo, the greatest Cuban pitcher of all time.

[more ...]