September 15, Week in Sports
September 15, Week in Sports
:: PATS QB TOM BRADY OUT FOR THE SEASON (Pro. Football)
:: K-ROD SETS RECORD FOR SAVES (Pro. Baseball)
:: USC TROUNCES OHIO STATE (College Football)
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BYE BYE BRADY
On Monday, the New England Patriots announced that Tom Brady, their star quarterback, would miss the entire season as a result of his injury during last Sunday’s game. Brady was the league MVP last year, one of the most popular players in the league, and a celebrity in his own right, so his injury is devastating to the sport.
Brady tore both the ACL and MCL in his left knee. After the surgery, it will take him 6 months to recover, at the very least. That essentially means that the next time Brady suits up to play, it will be for training camp for the 2009 season. That is terrible news for the Patriots franchise, who was the clear favorite to win their division before the injury. Many analysts even predicted that the Patriots would return to the Super Bowl this year. Now, almost all of them have changed their tune.
When Brady’s backup, Matt Cassel, started for the Patriots on Sunday against the New York Jets, it was his first start since he played in high school. Cassel, though no Tom Brady, still led the Patriots to victory.
Quote of the Week: ”Note to everyone trying to talk themselves into the Matt Cassel era (including three of my friends): Just stop it. Stop. Stop right now.” — Bill Simmons, ESPN writer, known for his allegiance to Boston teams
Further Reading: ”Tom Brady out for season” — Karen Guregian, ESPN
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TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL
Francisco Rodriguez, most commonly known by the nickname K-Rod, set the single-season saves record on Saturday when his team, the Los Angeles Angels, beat the Seattle Mariners by a score of 5-2. The former record had been held by Bobby Thigpen, who saved 57 games with the 1990 Chicago White Sox.
K-Rod is a closer–a type of pitcher who normally comes in for the ninth inning of a game when his team has the lead and then “saves” the game for the team. K-Rod now has 58 saves so far this season, and it is likely that he is going to record at least 60 saves before the playoffs begin, which is a truly amazing feat.
K-Rod’s Angels have had an incredible week. Not only did their closer set the saves record, but the team also clinched the title in the AL West–which means that no matter what they do for the rest of September, they will have a spot in the playoffs.
Quote of the Week: “I haven’t felt like this since we won the World Series.” — K-Rod, upon setting the record
Further Reading: “K-Rod becomes new saves king as Angels win” — Kevin Baxter, L.A. Times
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TROJAN WAR
The USC Trojans pummeled the Ohio State Buckeyes on Saturday night. USC’s victory is the biggest victory so far of the college football season, since both teams were ranked in the top five in the country.
The game was dubbed the “Clash at the Coliseum,” but in the end, the Buckeyes failed to put up a fight. The Trojans, who justified their No. 1 ranking beyond a shadow of a doubt, looked incredible in the victory. Not only did the USC offense look excellent, but their defense absolutely stamped out all of Ohio State’s efforts on the field. USC looked so solid, in fact, that in the minds of many they instantly became the favorites to make the national championship game later this season.
In all fairness to Ohio State, they were playing without their best player, Beanie Wells. Wells, possibly the best running back in college football, was out of the game because of a foot injury.
Quote of the Week: “This was a debutante ball for the future undefeated national champions.” — Bill Plaischke
Further Reading: ”USC takes care of No. 1 with 35-3 rout of Ohio State” — Gary Klein, L.A. Times
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WHAT TO WATCH THIS WEEK
:: FOOTBALL: There should be two very good games coming up for the Dallas Cowboys. Tonight, the Cowboys play the Philadelphia Eagles–both teams looked excellent in week one. Next Sunday, the Cowboys play the Green Bay Packers, which should also be a very competitive, high-profile game.
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ALL-SPORTS UPDATE
ACTIVE SEASON
:: BASEBALL
MLB (Pro. Baseball): In the final month 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 Georgia 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]