Billy Paultz Reconsidered

Completely forgot to do this yesterday, so we’re live from Happy Valley. Although rain is expected later, the weather’s pretty nice right now, just cloudy, hardly any rain up here all day. That means OSU should be able to throw the ball, and pass defense is likely a vulnerable area for Penn State. On the […]

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So you’re concerned that the Phillies need pitching help? Relax. Help is on the way.

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New York magazine makes the very good point here that if not for Eli Manning, Boston would now hold the world titles in baseball, football and basketball and be the most obnoxious place on earth.

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The Phillies are a struggling mess right now, so of course we’re hearing the predictable nonsense about clutch or “situational” hitting. They’re not hitting, period. In the last seven days, during which the Phils have lost six times, they’re hitting .160, and are last in the NL in battiing average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage and, […]

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This column appeared in last Sunday’s paper and, in a slightly different form, in 1999. It was run again by request, and I’m sticking it here in the ongoing effort to make the blog more archival.
Or something.
There were balls and gloves and helmets and Nikes. Then there was the tux and gown, then […]

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The Nits have announced their football captains for next year, all seniors: DE Josh Gaines, S Anthony Scirrotto, C A.Q. Shipley and WR Derrick Williams.
This doesn’t matter much, but is slightly noteworthy for a couple reasons: 1. Scirrotto was arrested and suspended from the team early last season as the central figure in a much-publicized […]

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Penn State issued the following succinct statement about its five suspended football players:
The five players that did not participate in spring practice are now permitted to work out with the team in the weight room and training facilities.  Their playing status remains unchanged and will be reviewed after each of them resolves certain academic and/or […]

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Manheim Central grad Mike Byrne, a Division 1-AA All-American offensive tackle, was signed to a free agent contract with the Miami Dolphins Sunday.
“Going into the draft Mike knew the Dolphins had shown the most interest and their offensive line coach [Mike Maser] was in daily contact with me,” Jim Ulrich, Byrne’s agent, told the News-Journal […]

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The 24 hours or so after the brackets come out is, at least to me, maybe the most interesting time of the sports-media year. My favorite moment from Sunday night was when ESPN’s panel came on for its post-bracket analysis, and there’s Bobby Knight, leaning heavily back in his chair and yawning like a grizzly bear. […]

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A week from today the Sunday News begins an Internet talk show (sort of a podcast on video, if that means anything to you) on sports, “starring” Eric Stark and your humble correspondent. The first edition will be taped Tuesday, March 11, and will preview the Phillies’ season. Starkie is currently on a quasi-working vacation […]

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