Can NASCAR Steer Itself Back Into Popularity?
Commentator Frank Deford has some theories about why NASCAR is having trouble expanding its audience.
Sports
As Olympics Near, Bobsledder Still Fighting For A Spot
With just a hundred days to go before the Winter Olympic Games open in Russia, even many gold medalists are still fighting for a place on Team USA. Justin Olsen, a bobsledder from San Antonio, Texas, helped the U.S. win a historic gold medal four years ago in Vancouver, but he's struggled to overcome injuries in the lead-up to Sochi.
NBA Preview: On Valuable Knees And Building Legacies
Just when you thought the sports calendar couldn't get busier — the World Series, NFL regular season approaching half-way point, the NHL season underway — it can. Ahead of the new NBA season, which begins Tuesday, we'll look at a couple of valuable knees and a couple of legacies. Derrick Rose in Chicago and Russell Westbrook are both coming back from injury and surgery — and their performances could determine whether or not Miami wins a third straight title. Meanwhile, Lebron James tries to build his legacy, and Kobe Bryant tries to retain his.
Reversed Call Gives Sox Opening To Win World Series Game One
In last night's game one of the World Series, umpires changed an out call at second base. Instead of a possible inning-ending double play, the Boston Red Sox went on to score three runs and eventually beat the St. Louis Cardinals.
'Wheelmen' Exposes Doping Culture And The Armstrong 'Conspiracy'
Wall Street Journal reporters Reed Albergotti and Vanessa O'Connell say that champion cyclist Lance Armstrong was at the center of "the greatest sports conspiracy ever." Their book chronicles everything from group blood transfusions on the team bus to extensive efforts to silence and intimidate those who might expose the abuse.
Red Sox Take One-Game Lead In World Series
The Red Sox won the World Series opener in Boston on Wednesday night, beating the St. Louis Cardinals 8-1.
Enthusiasts Encourage More Women To Give Hunting A Shot
Hunting is a popular U.S. pastime, but most hunters are male. A women's foundation in Wyoming is trying to change that through mentorship and a new women's hunting competition. The sport isn't just fun, the group says; it's also a good way for mothers to put food on the table.
Frank Deford: 'Some Of Us Are More Valiant Than The Rest'
As the World Series begins, the sports commentator longs for proof of the existence of a legitimate clutch hitter. Stats guys say that the clutch is a random crap shoot.
Fake Jerseys Work In A Pinch For Bogota Soccer Team
Walk around any city in Colombia and you'll find vendors selling counterfeit soccer jerseys. That came in handy for Bogota's Independiente Santa Fe team. They showed up for an away game in the wrong color, so a team official bought knockoffs from vendors.
Pitching Like It's 1860, Teams Play Ball With Vintage Flair
In this curious base ball league, the umpire wears a top hat and the players drink water out of pewter mugs. The rules and equipment follow 19th-century protocol. A history-lover's dream, the games take place on a farm, evoking the sport's pastoral early years.