(Get) A Sporting Life

Finally, academic research asking the really big questions, such as, "How does party ID relate to support for the designated hitter rule?" The Etiology of Public Support for the Designated Hitter Rule (Quarterly Journal of Political Science, 2007, 2: 189–203) Several aspects of our findings deserve mention. Most important, and consistent with our expectations, we find that self-identified Democratic Party members are more likely to support the DH rule than are either independents or Republicans; the odds ratio of 1.90 suggests that, on average, Democrats are 90 percent more likely to support the rule than are independents. This implies (we think) that the values that draw the respondents to the Democrats are linked to those associated with supporting the rule. At the same time, the reverse is not true: Republicans are no more or less likely to support the DH rule than are political independents. Nor are self-identified political conservatives, once the effects of party are ac...

"Moment's over." From the PD: Hall vote also cruel reminder to Blues fans Blues fans have mixed feelings, again, as the Hockey Hall of Fame selection committee sorts through its impressive group of worthy candidates. Al MacInnis, a shoo-in during his first year of eligibility, finished his career as a Blue. His run was cut short by injury and he never did bring a Stanley Cup to St. Louis. But MacInnis retired here, kept his family here, joined the front office and helped lead the franchise back from the NHL lockout and the Bill Laurie’s bail out. Blues fans rightfully regard Al as a local treasure. But two other candidates, Scott Stevens and Adam Oates, remind Blues fans of What Could Have Been and What Never Happened for this franchise. Stevens is almost a mythic figure in these parts. He came, starred for a single season, helped raise hopes for glory and greatness . . . and then abruptly departed as arbitrator-ordered compensation for the Brendan Shanahan signing. He la...

A big GASL "congrats" to retired Blues defenseman Al MacInnis who was voted into the Hockey Hall of Fame his first time on the ballot. I remember when MacInnis first came to the Blues. That was the start of era of the Blues being a pretty damn good team. Having a weapon on the power play like MacInnis made all the difference in the world. Al still owns the best shot from the point I've ever seen. From the PD : To nobody’s shock, the Hockey Hall of Fame selection committee selected Al MacInnis to the sport’s highest honor Thursday afternoon. Like the great Ray Bourque, MacInnis was destined to become a Hall of Famer as soon as he became eligible. Al did it all. He won a Stanley Cup and the Conn Smythe Trophy as the MVP of those playoffs. He won a Norris Trophy as the NHL’s best defenseman. He won an Olympic gold medal. He put some some crazy individual numbers and the Blues retired his No. 2. His is best known for his wicked point shot, one of the greatest weapons the game...

Well, the second half was more interesting, wasn't it? United looked a lot better, particularly in the last 15 minutes after the weather delay. Addlery's goal was exactly the sort of goal DC rarely gets anymore. (Off a corner no less!) So that is the best indicator I've seen that DC is really starting to play well. Fred's goal was a thing of beauty. Maybe the best "build up" goal I've seen in MLS this season. And Emilio finished up with a clinical strike to salt the game away. Given that the defense was sort of slapped together I thought we looked pretty good in the back. There was some sloppy passing into the midfield (all game long), but it could have been a lot worse. I thought Gros was effective moving up from time to time, and Erpen played a better defensive game (at least by his own standards.) Plus, it was good to see Perkins actually punch the ball away instead of trying to grab every rain soaked ball that came towards him! That was alright.

Ugh. That was not an attractive half of soccer was it? The pitch looks awful and isn't playing much better. DC hasn't been able to string passes together, has had little sustained possession, and has had its best success by just booting the ball down the field. I said it once...I'll say it again. Ugh. On the plus side Gomez's penalty was nicely taken. (Why no red card for Vanney there? It wasn't as if the hand ball was "accidental".) Hopefully DC will click more in the second half. At least they won't have to shoot at the goal in the baseball infield end.

“How was I supposed to know “Whitey wants you in the clubhouse” was a message from the manager?” During last night’s rain delayed broadcast, Met’s play-by-play man, Gary Cohen, turned to Keith Hernandez with the question, “What did you do during a rain delay?” Was I the only one with “cocaine” runnin all round my brain…

From the PD: Blues put Drake on waivers The Blues have placed captain Dallas Drake on NHL waivers, a process necessary to buy out the final season left on his contract. On Sunday, Blues general manager Larry Pleau flew to Traverse City, Mich., where Drake lives in the off-season, to notify the 14-year veteran of the team’s decision. "Yeah, it was a little bit of a shock, but it wasn’t unexpected either," said Tom Laidlaw, Drake’s agent. "Dallas understands his age (38) . . . although being the captain, it’s a little bit of a shock. Drake worked his butt off for the Blues, although given his age and his style of play it isn't a surprise that he was a little banged up of late. Truth is you didn't really need Drake and Dan Hinote on the same team. Good luck to Dallas.