October 9, 2012
Oakland A’s on the Verge of a Non-Hollywood Ending
So this is what it’s come to? Three must-wins in a row? On June 21, I wrote on Grantland that the A’s were “a long shot to make the playoffs this season, to put it generously,” which feels a little silly now. But Baseball Prospectus, earlier that same June week, was pegging the A’s chances […]
Read moreFree Bobby Petrino
While watching Arkansas’s John L. Smith flick his tongue in and out of his mouth during his win over Auburn on Saturday — victory is more savory than bankruptcy — I had a thought. It inevitably falls into the contrarian/trollish category, so forgive me. Here’s the thought: Why can’t Arkansas and Bobby Petrino get back […]
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BQBL: The Blow-by-Blow Triumph of Yo Gabba Gabbert
As I write this it is 7:46 p.m., Monday, October 8, 12, 2012 AD. I point this out because I am writing the introduction to this week’s BQBL post BEFORE Mark Sanchez takes the field against the Houston Texans. There is a 90 percent chance that I will rewrite this after Sanchez throws three picks […]
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Some Questions About Why That Guy Didn’t Free-Fall From Space
Actually, let’s start with a list rather than some questions. We’ll get to the questions. Here’s a list of people who would never dive from space, but if they were in said position, with the entire world watching, would never postpone due to “windiness”: Amerikkka’s Most Wanted–era Ice Cube; Ed Reed and Ray Lewis, holding […]
Read moreFourth-and-Short: Apparently RG3 Is Reckless Now
We all had our smart reaction to the RG3 injury, each and every one. After everyone expressed genuine concern and hope that Robert Griffin would be OK and recover from his “mild” concussion, everyone from the announcers to the fans in the crowd had the same quote: “Now he’ll know to run out of bounds […]
Read moreSome Questions for This Guy About to Free-Fall From Space
Have you seen Apollo 13? Are you DVR’ing Happy Endings? Are you listening to a podcast up there? Jalen or Hollywood Prospectus? What role did drinking Red Bull play in your training? What role did it play in your decision to take a balloon into space and then jump out of the balloon from space? […]
Read moreThe Jalen Rose Report: Jalen Rose and David Jacoby
Jalen Rose gives his take on Dwight Howard and Shaq’s back-and-forth, his pick to win the NBA championship, and his two cents on jewelry acquisitions. Listen to this podcast here. Subscribe to the Grantland Network on iTunes, and check out our podcasts page.
Read moreFive Things the Jets Must Do Once They’ve Euthanized the Mark Sanchez Era
Last night, men named Jason Hill and Chaz Schillens and Clyde Gates were streaking down the sidelines, running routes hard and with tenacity, finding ways to get open. Jeremy Kerley turned into a young Andre Reed. Antonio Cromartie created separation, affirming certain bold proclamations. Jeff Cumberland, a man some will be surprised to learn is […]
Read moreMLB Playoff Wrap: Yanks, Nats Head Home With a Split
Two on, one out, Cardinals lead 2-1 in the bottom of the second of Monday’s National League Division Series Game 2 against the Nationals. Jaime Garcia’s spot in the order’s due up. Cardinals manager Mike Matheny sidled over to Garcia, said a few words, then told Skip Schumaker to grab a bat. This was, to […]
Read moreAbout Last Night: Chen Silences Yankees
In case you were out living a life of leisure, here’s what you missed in sports on Monday. Wei-Yin Chen pitched 6⅓ strong innings and Chris Davis hit a crucial two-RBI single as the Orioles evened up the ALDS at one game apiece with a 3-2 win over the Yankees. “Was this my favorite game? […]
Read moreOctober 8, 2012
I Suck at Football, Week 5: Here’s a Ginger Joke About Andy Dalton That You Might Not Like
I am in the desert. We are in Palm Springs, my wife and my daughter and I, in a rented house. Mostly I float in the pool like Peter Stormare in The Big Lebowski. I am a nihilist, I believe in nothing, I have access to an inner tube printed with the image of a […]
Read moreParis Is Rising: Among Les Thugs
Yesterday when I, along with about 100 other Paris Saint-Germain fans, landed in Marseille, the welcome wagon arrived in the form of police officers dressed in riot gear ready to escort us to PSG’s clash with Marseille at the Stade Velodrome. Tensions between the teams run high, and when I asked the man next to […]
Read moreB.S. Report: Cousin Sal
Cousin Sal joins Bill to review Week 5 of NFL games and guess the Week 6 lines. You can listen to this podcast on iTunes or the ESPN.com PodCenter.
Read moreYanks-Orioles and the Kid Brother Theory
On Friday, as I watched the Orioles and Rangers fight out the wild-card playoff in Arlington, Texas, I was begging for a Baltimore win. The winner would face the New York Yankees in the divisional round, and I am an evil, soulless fan of the corporate Yankees juggernaut. So I pulled hard for the O’s, […]
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NFL Run & Shootaround: You Got Lucky
On any given Sunday (or Monday, or Thursday), your NFL Run & Shootaround crew will be gathered around multiple televisions, making inappropriate jokes and generally regressing to the mean. Catch up on all the NFL action right here. The Sure Thing Sunday afternoon wasn’t Andrew Luck’s first game-winning drive. That was in Week 2, when […]
Read moreFamily Reunion at Georgia–South Carolina Game Will Make Your Heart Explode
Watch this. I’d explain it, but you should probably just watch it. Then you’re probably going to want to hug someone nearby. Then go read the first comment on this YouTube thread: “Tiger fan here. Hats off to this and everyone who serve our country. UGA could have used the wife in the game with […]
Read moreThe Best B.S.: Matt Kemp Says He Would Beat Magic Johnson at H.O.R.S.E.
Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp details his love of basketball and challenges Bill Simmons and Magic Johnson to a game of H.O.R.S.E.
Read moreAbout Last Night: NASCAR’s Crash Course
In case you were out living a life of leisure, here’s what you missed in sports over the weekend. Matt Kenseth managed to avoid a 25-car pileup on his way to earning a Sprint Cup victory at Talladega Superspeedway. Kyle Busch, car No. 25 in the pileup, later admitted that he drove in mostly because […]
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