September 21, Week in Sports
September 21, Week in Sports
:: U.S. TEAM WINS RYDER CUP (Pro. Golf)
:: CHICAGO CUBS CLINCH NL CENTRAL (Pro. Baseball)
:: BASEBALL ENTERS FINAL WEEK OF REGULAR SEASON (Pro. Baseball)
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MADE IN U.S.A.
The United States beat Europe to win the Ryder Cup over the weekend. The Rider Cup is a golf tournament played once every two years, which pits an American team against a European team. The United States has not won the Ryder Cup since 1999, so their victory on Sunday was significant.
The Ryder Cup is, in many ways, an unusual tournament in professional golf. Unlike every other high-profile golf tournament, the Ryder Cup is based on teams rather than individuals. For that reason, the tournament can be pretty difficult to follow for the average sports fan. However, it is also one of the most fun events in golf because of the fact that fans tend to treat this tournament different from every other. At other tournaments, it is unheard of for fans to cheer when other players mishit a ball, but at the Ryder Cup, that happens regularly. Players are also more emotionally demonstrative, with some players even “pumping up the crowd” after big shots. The result is a fun tournament with a lot of pride on the line. This year, the U.S. won bragging rights.
The tournament location alternates between U.S. and European locations. This year, the United States had home field advantage since the tournament was held in Kentucky.
Quote of the Week: ”This is the greatest moment in my life.” — J.B. Holmes, an American golfer, after winning his match on Sunday
Further Reading: ”Inspired U.S. win back the Ryder Cup” — CNN
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LOVABLE LOSERS COME UP WITH BIG WIN
The Chicago Cubs clinched their division on Saturday, guaranteeing them a spot in the upcoming playoffs. This is the first time the Cubs have won their division two years in a row since 1908.
The Chicago Cubs have not won a World Series for 100 years. Before the season began, a number of baseball experts predicted that this would be the year that the franchise’s championship drought would end. So far this year, the Cubs have looked like a pretty convincing contender. They have very strong pitching, a good offense, and when they play at their home park, Wrigley Field, they have a devastating home field advantage. Since they are one of the most popular teams in the country, and since the team’s playoff drought and reputation as the “lovable losers” is known across the country, they will get a lot of attention in the post-season.
The Cubbies are also known for their epic collapses, so be sure to watch for one this year. If the Cubs clutch defeat from the jaws of victory in October, nobody will be surprised–least of all Cubs fans.
Quote of the Week: “The Cubs enter the postseason as favorites to win their first pennant since 1945, though they’ll face constant reminders that history is not on their side.” — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune
Further Reading: “Chicago Cubs clinch National League Central Division” — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune
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HEADING HOME
As we enter the final week of baseball’s regular season, there are still several teams fighting for spots in the playoffs. With some of those teams playing each other, this week’s baseball games will have the importance and intensity of the postseason. Here are some of the important things to know going into this week.
1. Several teams have already clinched their spots in the playoffs–the Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Angels, and Tampa Rays are guaranteed spots in the postseason no matter what happens this week. The Boston Red Sox are almost guaranteed to be playing in the postseason as the Wild Card team in the American League.
2. The only close race in the American League is between the Chicago White Sox and Minnesota Twins. As luck would have it, those two teams are playing three games against each other this week. The White Sox are currently leading the Twins by 2 1/2 games, but the Twins have a chance to capture the lead this week.
3. There are three playoff spots up for grabs in the National League. The Los Angeles Dodgers, Arizona Diamondbacks, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, and Milwaukee Brewers all have a chance to make a run this week. The Dodgers, Phillies and Mets are the favorites to take those three spots, but that could all change in a matter of days.
This should be a very competitive week in baseball. But when the playoffs begin in October, the stakes will be higher and the competition will be boosted to a totally new level, with the best of the best fighting to get to the World Series.
Quote of the Week: “I had to get out there and hug everybody. We did the appropriate hugging in the dugout, then we took it out on the field. I had to. I’m a hugger. And I’m a crier.”– Rays manager Joe Maddon, on clinching the division
Further Reading: “Cubs, Rays celebrate on same day” — John Shea, ESPN.com
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WHAT TO WATCH THIS WEEK
:: BASEBALL: Keep an eye on the baseball games this week. The subtle shifts in the standings every day will have major implications for the playoffs. Check out www.mlb.com to stay on top of the week’s events.
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ALL-SPORTS UPDATE
ACTIVE SEASON
:: BASEBALL
MLB (Pro. Baseball): In the final week of the regular season, teams are still jockeying for spots in the post-season–either by winning their division, or by taking the Wild Card spot. [Official MLB Website]
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:: FOOTBALL
NFL (Pro. Football): The regular season is now underway. The standings will begin to take shape in just a few weeks, once teams begin to play their division rivals. [Official NFL Website]
NCAA FOOTBALL (College): The college football is now in full swing. USA Today and the Associated Press have both ranked USC as the number one team. [NCAA Football, ESPN]
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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 PGA Championship is over, mainstream golf news will most likely revolve around Tiger Woods’ return from injury and preparation for next year’s Majors. [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 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
NBA (Pro. Basketball): The Celtics defeated the Lakers to win the NBA Finals, ending the 2008 season. [Official NBA Website]
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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:: 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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