July 14, Week in Sports
July 14, Week in Sports
:: BRETT FAVRE RUMORS HEAT UP (Pro. Football)
:: SABATHIA, HARDEN TRADED TO BREWERS, CUBS (Pro. Baseball)
:: ALL-STAR BREAK IN THE BRONX (Pro. Baseball)
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BACK ALREADY? BRETT FAVRE REPORTEDLY SET TO UN-RETIRE
Brett Favre, who retired from the NFL at a tearful press conference in March, is reportedly thinking about coming back to play in the 2008 season. Favre is the winningest QB in the history of the league.
In Green Bay, where Favre forged a career as one of the greatest quarterbacks in Packers history, Favre is treated like a hero and a living legend. However, when he retired in March, the Packers organization was forced to move on–promoting long-time backup Aaron Rodgers to the starting position, and drafting Brian Brohm in the second round of the NFL Draft. Favre’s sudden desire to return puts the Packers organization in an uncomfortable position. If they re-install Favre on the roster, they could improve their chances of winning the Super Bowl in 2008, but they would also stunt the long-term growth of the team by keeping the team’s future leaders on the bench for another season. However, if they do not bring back Favre, the Packers will almost certainly be less successful this year, it would look like they were slighting their legendary quarterback, and they might even have to trade Favre to a rival team.
The Packers organization has refused to release Brett Favre from his contract, and it was reported that they offered him a spot on the Packers roster as a backup to Aaron Rodgers (although Packers management later denied the “backup” offer). One thing is for sure: with training camp just weeks away, the Brett Favre story line will continue to get more interesting, and if Favre ends up playing for a different team, it would be the biggest story in the NFL this year.
Quote of the Week: “We don’t know where everything is going to go. It’s been a distraction. It’s been a distraction for our fans. I’m trying to stay steady and do the right things for the Packers and do the right thing for Brett Favre.” — Packers GM Ted Thompson
Further Reading: ”Thompson won’t cut Favre, but GM deflects blame in ordeal” — Tom Pelissero, Green-Bay Press Gazette, via USA Today
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KEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES; BREWERS, CUBS MAKE MAJOR TRADES
Last Monday, the Milwaukee Brewers acquired CC Sabathia, one of the best pitchers in baseball, through a trade with the Cleveland Indians. Not to be outdone, the Chicago Cubs (who compete in the same division as the Brewers) landed Rich Harden, an ace from the Oakland Athletics, the very next day.
Every year, major baseball trades are made around the middle of July, since teams are only allowed to trade up until July 31st. These two trades were significant, not only because they involved two high-profile players, but also because the Cubs and Brewers are expected to be in a close race to make the playoffs. While the Cubs have the best record in baseball, the NL Central is expected to have one of the most competitive playoff races down the stretch. Now, with two of the game’s top pitchers moving to that division, analysts are expecting the next two months to be a neck-and-neck race between the Brewers and Cubs.
Both Sabathia and Harden have pitched for their new teams, and both pitchers looked to be in excellent form. Last year, Sabathia won the NL Cy Young award–the highest honor for any individual pitcher. Harden, who has suffered from injuries of late, is also regarded as one of the best in the game.
Quote of the Week: “I’d say we’re going for it. That’s the way I look at it.” — Doug Melvin, Brewers GM
Further Reading: ”CC Sabathia deal notable as he goes to smaller-market team” — Phil Rogers, Chicago Tribune
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THE HOUSE THAT RUTH BUILT, PACKED WITH STARS
The 2008 All-Star Game will take place on Tuesday, July 16th at Yankee Stadium. The All-Star Game pits the best players from the National League against the best players from the American League. The winning league secures home field advantage for its representative in the World Series.
The All-Star Game, though essentially an exhibition game, is an extravagant affair. This year, the game has an added significance because of the fact that it is being hosted at historic Yankee Stadium. This is the Yankees’ final year at the stadium, a veritable baseball shrine where all-time greats like Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, Lou Gehrig, and Joe Dimaggio made names for themselves. Next year, the Yankees will move into their new stadium, which is currently being constructed across the street from the current one.
While Tuesday night’s game is the main event of the All-Star break, there are other exhibition events as well. The Home Run Derby will be held on Monday night, when the league’s top sluggers will blast so many dingers out of Yankee Stadium, it would make the Babe himself blush.
Quote of the Week: “[It has] been one of the most stupendous, unpredictable baseball seasons in eons.” — Jayson Stark, ESPN analyst, evaluating the baseball season so far
Further Reading: ”At the Half” — Jayson Stark, ESPN
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WHAT TO WATCH THIS WEEK
:: BASEBALL — This week is the All-Star break for Major League Baseball. Monday night is the Home Run Derby event. On Tuesday night, the All-Stars in the National League and American League will fight it out for home field advantage in the World Series.
:: GOLF — The Open, one of the four Major Championships in professional golf, will be played July 17-20 in England. With Tiger Woods out for the season, it’s a level playing field.
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ALL-SPORTS UPDATE
ACTIVE SEASON
:: BASEBALL
MLB (Pro. Baseball): The All-Star break takes place this week. The All-Star game is essentially the halfway point of the season, and from now until October, teams will be fighting for spots in the playoffs. [Official MLB Website]
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:: GOLF
MEN’S GOLF: While there are professional tournaments throughout the year, the most important tournaments are the four Major Championships: The Masters, U.S. Open, The Open (The British Open), and the PGA Championship. Now that the U.S. Open is over, the next event is the Open (also known as the British Open), which is played July 17-20. [Official PGA Website]
NOTABLE PLAYERS: Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson
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:: TENNIS
MEN’S AND WOMEN’S TENNIS: While there are professional tournaments throughout the year, the most important tournaments of the year are the four Grand Slam tournaments: the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open. [USTA Website]
NOTABLE PLAYERS: Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Maria Sharapova, Ana Ivanovic
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OFFSEASON
:: BASKETBALL
NCAA MEN’S BASKETBALL (College): Now that the tournament is over, college basketball news will focus on which players leave their schools for the NBA, and which college teams land the premier high-school players for next season. [CBS Sports]
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:: FOOTBALL
NFL (Pro. Football): The pre-season begins in August, and the regular season begins in September. [Official NFL Website]
NCAA FOOTBALL (College): Practice sessions for college football begin in summer, and the regular season begins in August. [NCAA Football, ESPN]
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:: HOCKEY
NHL (Pro. Hockey): The Detroit Red Wings defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Stanley Cup Finals, completing the 2007-08 season. [Official NHL Website]
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:: BASKETBALL
NBA (Pro. Basketball): The Celtics defeated the Lakers to win the NBA Finals, ending the 2008 season. [Official NBA Website]
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