SportSpectator Blog

February 2, Week in Sports

 

:: STEELERS BEAT CARDINALS TO WIN SUPER BOWL (Pro. Football)

:: NADAL DOWNS FEDERER AT AUSSIE OPEN (Pro. Tennis)

:: SERENA WILLIAMS WINS AUSSIE OPEN, RECLAIMS NO. 1 SPOT (Pro. Tennis)

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 MEN OF STEEL

The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Arizona Cardinals in a close, hard-fought game to win this year’s Super Bowl. The Super Bowl is the championship game of the NFL season, and the most highly-watched sporting event of the year.

The Steelers, though heavily favored by many analysts, had to pull out all the stops to win the game by a score of 27-23. Without a series of incredible plays–including a 100-yard interception return at the end of the first half and the breathtaking winning catch by Santonio Holmes–the Steelers could very well have lost the game. The Steelers entered the fourth quarter winning 20-7, but the Cardinals came roaring back to take the lead, scoring 16 unanswered points, including a stunning reception by Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald. However, the Steelers marched down the field as time ran off the clock and scored the go-ahead points with less than a minute to play. Steelers wide receiver Santonio Holmes was named the Super Bowl MVP.

Though the Steelers certainly earned the victory, the game ended on a somewhat controversial play. With just seconds left in the game, the Cardinals still had a chance to pull out a miracle comeback. However, they lost the ball on a ball that was ruled a fumble by the officials, though it very well may have been an incomplete pass. Furthermore, the referees did not even choose to use instant replay to review the play, effectively ending the game. It is hard to say whether or not the officials blew the call, but there were enough questionable calls during the game that you can be sure to hear some angry Cardinals fans on the radio and around the office.

Quote of the Week: “It will go down as one of the most thrilling Super Bowls of all-time. But, as has become all too common in the NFL, an officiating controversy threatens to overshadow the stellar play on the field.” — Chris Chase, Shutdown Corner

Further Reading: “Holmes’ grab lands Steelers record sixth Super Bowl title” — Greg Garber, ESPN

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KINGS OF THE COURT

Rafael Nadal defeated Roger Federer on Sunday in Melbourne to win the men’s singles final at the Australian Open. The Australian Open is the first of four Grand Slam events of the year–the most important tournaments in tennis.The rivalry between Nadal and Federer is one of the greatest in professional sports, with Federer playing the role of the veteran player in the sunset of his career and Nadal as the heir to the throne. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that Nadal, who has defeated Federer in their last three Grand Slam clashes, has already eclipsed his rival. Nadal now has a chance to win all four Grand Slam events in a single calendar year for the first time since Rod Laver did it in 1969.

Despite Federer’s recent losses to Nadal and the growing opinion that he is on the decline, he is just 27 years old and still one of the best players in the world. However, this loss was particularly painful for Federer, since he is just one Grand Slam title short of Pete Sampras’s record of 14 Grand Slam titles. The next Grand Slam tournament is the French Open, which takes place in May.

Quote of the Week: ”Maybe I’ll try later. God, it’s killing me.” — Roger Federer, on congratulating Nadal

Further Reading: ”Nadal defeats Federer at Australian Open” — Associated Press, via New York Times

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BACK ON TOP

On Saturday, Serena Williams won the women’s singles final at the Australian Open, handily defeating Dinara Safina, who was the top-ranked female player in the world going into the match.

Williams was ranked No. 2 in the world going into Saturday’s match, but by beating Safina she reclaimed the top spot. Since Williams won the U.S. Open in September, Saturday’s victory also means that she has won back-to-back Grand Slam titles–a feat that has not been accomplished since 2004. During this year’s tournament, Serena also became the all-time leading money winner among female athletes.

Serena and Venus Williams captured this year’s doubles title, as well. The Williams sisters, despite being seeded 10th in this tournament, are the most dangerous tennis duo in the world. In the past year, they have now won two Grand Slam events, as well as a gold medal in the Beijing Olympics.

Quote of the Week: “Serena was too good … I was just a ballboy on the court today” — Dinara Safina, after the match

Further Reading:  “Serena rolls to 10th Grand Slam title” — Associated Press, via ESPN

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 WHAT TO WATCH THIS WEEK

:: COLLEGE BASKETBALL: For those of you hoping to get a leg up on your co-workers during March Madness, now is the time to be doing some homework. Next Saturday, 20 of the top 25 teams in the country are playing. None of the big dogs are playing each other, but it’s a great opportunity to see some of the best of the best in action. Many of the games are on ESPN, and Notre Dame vs. UCLA will air on CBS in the early afternoon.

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ALL-SPORTS UPDATE

 

ACTIVE SEASON

:: BASKETBALL

NBA (Pro. Basketball): The 2008-09 season is currently underway. It runs from late October to April of 2009, when the playoffs commence.  [Official NBA Website]

NCAA MEN’S BASKETBALL (College): The college basketball season is currently underway and runs through “the Tournament,” which takes place in March. [CBS Sports]

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:: FOOTBALL

NFL (Pro. Football): Now that the Super Bowl is over, the next major NFL event is the draft, which takes place in late April. [Official NFL Website]

NCAA FOOTBALL (College): The college football season is now over, with Florida defeating Oklahoma in the national championship game. [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. The Masters is scheduled for the first week of April. [Official PGA Website]

NOTABLE PLAYERS: Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson

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:: HOCKEY

NHL (Pro. Hockey): The hockey season is currently underway and runs through April of 2009.  [Official NHL Website]

 

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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. The next event is the French Open, which takes place in May. [USTA Website]

NOTABLE PLAYERS: Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Maria Sharapova, Ana Ivanovic

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OFFSEASON

:: BASEBALL

MLB (Pro. Baseball): The Philadelphia Phillies defeated the Tampa Bay Rays in this year’s World Series. During the off-season, baseball news will focus on major trades and player signings. [Official MLB Website]

January 12, Week in Sports

 

:: CARDINALS STUN EAGLES; STEELERS BEAT RAVENS (Pro. Football)

:: HENDERSON, RICE ELECTED TO MLB HALL OF FAME (Pro. Baseball)

:: COLTS COACH TONY DUNGY RETIRES (Pro. Football)

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CARDINALS RULE

The Arizona Cardinals shocked the league on Sunday when they beat the Philadelphia Eagles to advance to the Super Bowl. The Pittsburgh Steelers also stamped their ticket to the Super Bowl with a win over the Baltimore Ravens. The Super Bowl is the most highly-watched sporting event of the year.

In recent years, the Cardinals have been one of the worst franchises in football, and this year, they posted a 9-7 record before backing into the playoffs. Since then, however, the Cardinals have been red-hot, knocking off Atlanta, then Carolina, and now the Eagles–and in each situation, the Cardinals have been the underdogs. Led by veteran quarterback Kurt Warner and superstar Larry Fitzgerald, the Cardinals now have just one more game to win to complete their Cinderella story. This is the first time in franchise history that the Cardinals have made it to the Super Bowl.

The Pittsburgh Steelers, on the other hand, are one of the most successful franchises in the history of the NFL. Led by quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and the best defense in football, the Steelers beat the rival Baltimore Ravens to advance to the Super Bowl. Right now, they are running on all cylinders and their defense is better than ever, so they will be heavy favorites to beat to Cardinals.

Quote of the Week: “I think we’ve been an underdog every game that we played–for us to overcome that means a lot.” — Anquan Boldin, Cardinals receiver

Further Reading: “Deep Impact” — Associated Press, via ESPN

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HALL LOVES RICKEY AS MUCH AS RICKEY

This week, Rickey Henderson and Jim Rice were voted into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame. Being inducted into the Hall of Fame is the greatest of all honors for for a professional baseball player.

This was the first year that Rickey Henderson was eligible for the Hall of Fame, and it comes as no surprise that he was voted in. Henderson is the greatest leadoff man of all time, though he is perhaps even more famous as the greatest base stealer ever. Henderson holds the record for most career stolen bases at 1,406, which is almost 500 more than Lou Brock, who is second on the list. Henderson is also known for giving some of the funniest (and most narcissistic) quotes ever, many of which feature Rickey talking about himself in the third person.

Jim Rice’s journey to the Hall of Fame was very different than Henderson’s. While Henderson made it to the Hall his first year of eligibility, Rice slipped into the Hall during his last year on the ballot. Rice was a power-hitting outfielder for the Boston Red Sox and an 8-time All Star. Henderson and Rice will be inducted into the Hall of Fame in July.

Quote of the Week: ”The voice-mail message on Rickey Henderson’s cellphone is unusually wordy and quirky. He says hello and pauses, presumably to confuse callers into thinking he has actually answered and that it is not a recording. After some silence, Henderson repeats the gag by saying, “How are you doing?” and pausing again…. The message takes 30 seconds, but it is fraught with excess. It is a message that befits the flamboyant Henderson, who is the greatest leadoff hitter in baseball history.” — Jack Curry, New York Times

Further Reading: ”Henderson, Rice elected to Hall of Fame” — Associated Press, via ESPN

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COLTS COACH RIDES INTO THE SUNSET

Tony Dungy, the great coach of the Indianapolis Colts, retired from the NFL last week. Dungy was one of the most celebrated coaches in the league, and will doubtless be remembered as one of the greatest coaches of his time.

Dungy has coached in the league for more than a decade, but he made a name for himself coaching Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts, whom he led to a Super Bowl victory in 2007. In a sport full of screaming coaches, stomping up and down the sidelines, Dungy was known for his reserved demeanor. He was respected by everyone–players, other coaches, and football writers have nothing but good things to say about him, both professionally and personally–which is truly rare in the NFL.

When the Colts won the Super Bowl in 2007, Dungy became the first African-American NFL coach to win the championship.

Quote of the Week: “There are people you meet in life who profess great religious faith and then live a hypocritical lie of an existence. Then there is Tony Dungy, who knew everybody’s name, whether you were the equipment guy or the left tackle, who cared about everybody’s story, who was genuine to those who were essential to his life and those who were not.” — Bob Kravitz, Indianapolis Star

Further Reading:  “He Won the Right Way” — Bob Kravitz, Indianapolis Star

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WHAT TO WATCH THIS WEEK

:: PRO. FOOTBALL: The Super Bowl will be played on February 1, giving both teams a week off to recover. However, Super Bowl hype will still be the dominant story in the sports world this week. Now is a good chance to catch up on the storylines from the season, as well as to hear predictions for the game itself, which is the most important sporting event of the year.

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ALL-SPORTS UPDATE

 

ACTIVE SEASON

:: BASKETBALL

NBA (Pro. Basketball): The 2008-09 season is currently underway. It runs from late October to April of 2009, when the playoffs commence.  [Official NBA Website]

NCAA MEN’S BASKETBALL (College): The college basketball season is currently underway and runs through “the Tournament,” which takes place in March. [CBS Sports]

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:: FOOTBALL

NFL (Pro. Football): The Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals will face off in the Super Bowl on February 1. [Official NFL Website]

NCAA FOOTBALL (College): The college football season is now over, with Florida defeating Oklahoma in the national championship game. [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. [Official PGA Website]

NOTABLE PLAYERS: Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson

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:: HOCKEY

NHL (Pro. Hockey): The hockey season is currently under way and runs through April of 2009.  [Official NHL Website]

 

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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

:: BASEBALL

MLB (Pro. Baseball): The Philadelphia Phillies defeated the Tampa Bay Rays in this year’s World Series. During the off-season, baseball news will focus on major trades and player signings. [Official MLB Website]