Category Archives: Sports

IS IT NOW ILLEGAL TO THROW AN OCTOPUS?

IS IT NOW ILLEGAL TO THROW AN OCTOPUS? I posted here about the long tradition in Detroit of throwing an octopus on the ice during important moments in Detroit Red Wing hockey. I included the caution that: “the octopus should … Continue reading

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A PICKOFF PLAY AT THIRD BASE!

A PICKOFF PLAY A THIRD BASE! In a recent White Sox-Tampa Bay game, Joe Maddon, the Tampa manager (and a very good manager), tried a pickoff play at third base. I had never seen one before, and neither had the … Continue reading

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A PROPOSAL FOR A BASEBALL RULE CHANGE.

A PROPOSAL FOR A BASEBALL RULE CHANGE. Minnesota’s second baseman had his leg broken recently by a baserunner trying to break up a double play. Without question, what the baserunner did was legal and consistent with what baserunners do as … Continue reading

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DEFENSE MAKES FOR “UGLY GAMES.”

DEFENSE MAKES FOR “UGLY GAMES.” Another prediction that could have been made, based on the fact that the Butler-UConn game would feature lower shooting percentages and very good defense, was that a lot of critics would hate the game. Think … Continue reading

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THE BEST FINAL FOUR PREDICTION.

THE BEST FINAL FOUR PREDICTION. It wasn’t a prediction, but the Wall Street Journal had an article before the NCAA national championship game that said a lot about how the game later turned out. The article pointed out that after … Continue reading

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FINDING THE WISDOM OF CROWDS—ONE PERSON AT A TIME.

FINDING THE WISDOM OF CROWDS—ONE PERSON AT A TIME. Jonah Lehrer reports here at his blog (The Frontal Cortex) and also in the Wall Street Journal (March 19-20) on a paper by scientists at Northwestern University which analyzed instant messages … Continue reading

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A CHESS BRILLIANCY—BOBBY FISCHER AT 13.

A CHESS BRILLIANCY—BOBBY FISCHER AT 13. When Bobby Fischer was 13, he won what became known as “The Game of the Century.” On Fischer’s 17th move, playing black, he sacrificed his queen for a winning attack. Here is the position … Continue reading

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A CHESS BRILLIANCY—MAGNUS CARLSEN AT 13.

A CHESS BRILLIANCY—MAGNUS CARLSEN AT 13. Thanks to Nick and our friends Alan and Catherine, and with help from the internet, I am playing chess again. The website is redhotpawn and the link is here. When D.T. Max had an … Continue reading

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THE PERSISTENCE OF THE HOME TEAM ADVANTAGE.

THE PERSISTENCE OF THE HOME TEAM ADVANTAGE. I have long thought that television and instant replays would have improved refereeing because fans and sportswriters and league officials are able to review the calls. In fact, I have wondered how extreme … Continue reading

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FREE THROW DEFENSE.

FREE THROW DEFENSE. Every so often when a team is having a bad day at the free throw line, there is a joking comment about the other team’s free throw defense. This would seem to be a random occurrence. I … Continue reading

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