Knucklehead of the Week
Pablo Sandoval, the rotund Red Sox third baseman, went on the DL with a strained left shoulder. Sandoval, who lost his job to Washington Court House product Travis Shaw, is 0-for-6 with four strikeouts this season. He parlayed a stellar 2014 World Series with the Giants into a five-year, $95 million deal with Boston. Then he hit the all-you-can-eat buffet circuit. Think the Sox would like a do-over? Sandoval struck out three times in a game last week and his belt broke under the pressure of his oversized midsection.
Former Wright State relief pitcher Joe Smith, who plays for the Angels, beat Stephen Curry in a game of PIG last week. That might have topped Jordan Spieth’s meltdown at the Masters as the week’s biggest sports surprise.
If Cleveland makes it to the NBA Finals for a second straight season and falls to one of the best teams in basketball history, does that make the Cavaliers failures? I don't think so. The Cavs might just have the bad luck of playing the Golden State Warriors at the top of their game. Same goes for the Spurs.
The Timberwolves didn’t make the playoffs, so the Warriors have to feel pretty good about their chances to repeat. In case you missed it, and most of us did, Minnesota rallied from 15 points down to upset the champs on the road earlier this month. That was the last time the Warriors lost.
Five of the 25 college football stars invited to attend the NFL draft later this month are former Ohio State Buckeyes. That's astounding. Almost as astounding as OSU's late-season loss to Michigan State that ruined its chances at a championship repeat. Sorry to bring that up, Buckeye fans.
The NCAA has put the brakes on new bowl games, but I believe there's no such thing as too much college football. Three destination cities — Austin, Charleston and Myrtle Beach — tried to get in on the fun, but were sacked. I realize 5-7 teams have plenty of flaws, but they went 3-0 during last year's bowl season.
College basketball tips off again on Nov. 11. Ohio State will take on the Naval Academy that night in the Veterans Classic. It's one of those "neutral site" games, but it will be played in Annapolis, Md. If Thad Matta is not happy with his team, he can put the lads through an obstacle course.
Trending up: Kobe Bryant, Lynn Swann, Danny Willett. I watched the Kobe pregame tribute late Wednesday and then turned the channel. The next morning I read that he scored 60 points in his final NBA game. My first thought was that the Jazz played All-Star Game defense, but I was reassured that the game was on the level. Kobe went out firing and gave Lakers fans a thrill. He'll need some rest after chucking up 50 shots.
Trending down: Josh Gordon, Hector Olivera, Bono. Gordon probably won't play for the Browns this season after the NFL denied his petition for reinstatement. Gordon reportedly tested positive for marijuana. His samples were diluted, which indicate he may have tried to use a masking agent. Gordon missed all of last season after a positive alcohol test. He's in something called Stage Three of the NFL's drug-testing program. That's not positive.
About the Author