All hail the new king of rushing! All hail King AD!

Posted on Mon Nov 05, 2007 at 01:34:04 AM EST in NFL
More on: Adrian Peterson, records, Maurice Jones-Drew, Antonio Cromartie, NFL (all tags)

Maurice Jones-Drew was probably feeling pretty darn good about himself after he ran a kickoff back for 100 yards, tying his game at 14 as time expired in the first quarter. Unfortunately, the good feeling was short lived as the Jaguars proceeded to get blasted by the Saints over the final three quarters and lost 41-24.

But we're guessing that MJD still had a smile on his face as he entered the locker room; after all, it's not very often that someone goes the length of the field for a score. Of course, it couldn't have taken too long for word of Antonio Cromartie's 109-yard return of a missed field goal attempt for San Diego to reach the sophomore. Yup, that's the longest scoring play in NFL history and one major buzzkill for Jones-Drew.

But don't fret too much Maurice, your fellow running back made sure that nobody would even care about the return by the time he was finished on the field.

Adrian Peterson has become rookie gold for the Minnesota Vikings with his incredible combination of speed and strength. And now, just eight games into his 'rookie of the year' campaign, this kid holds the record for most rushing yards in a single game!

Peterson lived up to his nickname of A.D. or All Day against the Chargers as he scampered for 296 yards (30 carries) and three touchdowns on the ground. He scored like clockwork in first, third and fourth quarters with TD runs of 1, 64 and 46 yards respectively. Peterson now has 1,036 rushing yards which is on pace to surpass Eric Dickerson's 1983 rookie record of 1,808 yards and possibly his all-time record of 2,105 yards which was set in 1984.

We're thinking that it's pretty safe to say the ROY race is all wrapped up. In fact, the Peyton Mannings, Tom Bradys and LaDanian Tomlinsons of the league might want to start looking over their shoulders because there's a 22-year-old who's nipping at their heels for league MVP credentials.

A battle of undefeateds, a 100-yard kickoff return, the longest play in league history, TO's return to Philly; sorry, but none of it compares to the performance of the Vikings young stud.

Links:
[MSNBC.com]: Yo Adrian! Vikings ride Peterson's record day
[The Sports Network]: Saints Brees past Jaguars

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Dec 18 in Sports History: Dolphins go undefeated

Posted on Mon Dec 18, 2006 at 12:55:40 PM EST in NFL
More on: Dolphins, OJ Simpson, Bills, NFL, records, sports history (all tags)

In 1972: With a 16-0 shutout of the Baltimore Colts, the Miami Dolphins (14-0) clinched the first-ever undefeated, untied regular season in NFL history. The '72 Dolphins are not considered by many to be the most dominant team in history, although they did lead the league in scoring (385 pts) and gave up the fewest (171) behind the “No-Name Defense.” They won despite the fact that starting quarterback Bob Griese went down in the fifth game with an injury and did not return until the AFC Championship game. Earl Morrall, who was 38 years old by then, quietly took the reins and led the league in passing efficiency. Running backs Larry Csonka and Mercury Morris became the first teammates to rush for 1,000 yards in a season. Of course, the Dolphins won three straight in the postseason to finish 17-0; and now it's just annoying when they annually pop the champagne when the last undefeated team in the NFL loses a game.

In 1973: Exactly 21 years, six months and 12 days before his ex-wife and her friend were found murdered, OJ Simpson ran a sweep left against the New York Jets for a short gain. That run on the cold, muddy Shea Stadium turf helped Simpson become the first ever NFL player to rush for over 2,000 yards in a season. He finished with 2,003 yards, won the league MVP and led the usually moribund Buffalo Bills to a winning record and almost a playoff berth. Other than that, nothing else ever happened in Simpson's life and he plays golf all the time now.

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Dec 12 in Sports History: A-Rod's big payday

Posted on Tue Dec 12, 2006 at 12:19:55 PM EST in MLB
More on: A-Rod, Rangers, Yankees, MLB, Wayne Gretzky, Bears, NHL, records (all tags)

Broke the bank

In 2000: Free agent shortstop Alex Rodriguez cashed in big time, with a 10-year, $252 million dollar contract from the Texas Rangers. Of course, it broke every conceivable record for amount of money paid to any athlete in any sport. In 2004, he was traded to the Yankees, and A-Rod is still waiting for his first World Series ring. According to our sources, the money never bought him a hug, either.

In 1981: Wayne Gretzky set another of his untouchable records, this one the fastest to reach 50 goals. The Great One's goal going into the year was to score 50 in 50 games, but he was way off. It only took him 39, and he accomplished it at the old Auditorium in Buffalo. Gretzky went on to smash Phil Esposito's mark of 76 goals in a season and ended up with a mind-boggling 92.

In 1965: While everyone is talking about Bears’ rookie Devin Hester's performance last night against the Rams with two kick returns for touchdowns, his performance doesn't quite match the great Gale Sayers. The Kansas rookie set a record with six touchdowns in a game against the San Francisco 49ers. Played on a muddy Wrigley Field surface, Sayers' scores included an 80 yard reception, a 50 yard run and an 65 yard punt return. His 22 touchdowns in 1965 are an NFL rookie record.

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Nov 29 in Sports History: the first Army-Navy game

Posted on Wed Nov 29, 2006 at 11:05:59 AM EST in College
More on: college football, rivalries, Jets, 49ers, Redskins, records (all tags)

They didn't even have photos!

In 1890: The first Army-Navy game was played at West Point, NY, with Navy winning 24-0. Considered by many as one of the greatest traditions in sports, it is annually played on the last weekend of the college football season and has been played at numerous sites, including the Polo Grounds, Yankee Stadium and even the Rose Bowl (in 1983). The last four (including this year) were played in Philadelphia. The most significant games of the rivalry were the 1944-45 matchups, when they were the top-ranked teams in the country (Army won both games). Navy has won the last four and holds a slight 50-49 edge with seven ties.

In 1992: New York Jets defensive tackle Dennis Byrd was paralyzed when he collided with a teammate attempting to make a tackle in a game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Byrd’s career was cut short after only four years in the NFL. He has since made a full recovery from the injury.

In 1987: Joe Montana set an NFL record when he completed 22 consecutive passes in a 38-24 victory over the Cleveland Browns at Candlestick Park. Montana, coming off an injury-plagued 1986 season, rebounded to lead the league in touchdown passes and a 102.1 rating in 1987. The completion record was tied this season by the Washington Redskins’ Mark Brunell. (We’ll give Joe Cool the props, however, as he shredded a very good Browns defense while Brunell did it to the Houston Texans, which should carry some type of asterisk.) Donovan McNabb once completed 24 straight passes, but that was over two games.

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Nov 20 in Sports History: Sweetness breaks the killer's single game rushing record

Posted on Mon Nov 20, 2006 at 02:18:27 PM EST in NFL
More on: Bears, records, Bills (all tags)

In 1977: Walter Payton broke O.J. Simpson’s single-game NFL rushing record with 275 yards on 40 carries in a 10-7 win over the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field. Simpson had set the record a year earlier with 273. “Sweetness’” performance sparked a run to the playoffs for the struggling Bears, who made the postseason for the first time in 14 years. Payton’s record stood for 23 years, until it was broken by Corey Dillon of the Cincinnati Bengals in 2000 and again by Jamal Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens in 2003. Payton also set a record for most rushing attempts that season with 339 (which he broke a few years later). (The ESPN Pro Football Encyclopedia)

In 1962: Mickey Mantle tied an American League record by winning his third AL MVP award. Mantle shares the record with fellow Yankee greats Joe Dimaggio and Yogi Berra. Mantle won the award despite playing in only 123 games due to nagging injuries, hitting .321 with 30 homers and 89 RBI. Along with the three Yankees, only three other players have won three MVP awards (Roy Campanella, Stan Musial and Mike Schmidt). Barry Bonds (unfortunately) has won the award seven times. (baseball library.com)

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Oct 27 in Sports History: Art Modell steals away in the night

Posted on Fri Oct 27, 2006 at 10:37:23 AM EST in NFL
More on: sports history, Browns, Ravens, NFL, Cowboys, records, World Series, Red Sox, Mets (all tags)

Suckers!

In 1995: It is well known how miserable of a sporting existence Cleveland fans have suffered, but this might have been the lowest point, the cruelest blow, the coup de grace gut punch. Browns’ owner Art Modell signed a secret agreement with the city of Baltimore to move his franchise - which probably had the most loyal fans in the NFL - there for the 1996 season. Modell cried poor and blamed Cleveland officials for refusing to build him a new stadium. He took a sweetheart deal from Baltimore (who was desperate for a franchise after losing the Colts in similar fashion in 1984), the Browns became the Ravens and changed their logo and uniforms, and the Mistake by the Lake was soon a memory (it caught fire during demolition just to remind Cleveland what it really was). Cleveland kept the rights to the Browns nickname and colors and was granted an expansion franchise for the 1999 season. The Ravens won the Super Bowl in 2000 while the Browns have gone 37-81 to this day.

In 2002: Emmitt Smith of the Cowboys took a handoff from Chad Hutchinson and ran off left tackle for 11 yards. They were last of 16,727 yards he needed to break the late Walter Payton’s career rushing total. The game was stopped for five minutes to honor Smith, and a post-game celebration was also held despite the Cowboys losing 17-14 to the Seattle Seahawks. Smith is the NFL’s all-time career rushing leader in yards, attempts and touchdowns.

In 1986 and 1991: A pair of memorable World Series Game 7's took place: In 1986, the Mets completed their stunning comeback by finishing off the Boston Red Sox 8-5 and continuing the Curse of the Bambino for the 68th consecutive year. In 1991, Jack Morris of the Twins turned in a legendary complete game, 10-inning shutout of the Atlanta Braves and a Gene Larkin bases-loaded single clinched the second World Series in four years for Minnesota.

And no Boston, we didn't forget that the Red Sox clinched their first championship since 1918 with a four game sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals on this day in 2004.

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Everybody hates Barry... well ok two-thirds

Posted on Thu Oct 19, 2006 at 01:29:08 PM EST in MLB
More on: SF Giants, Barry Bonds, records (all tags)

Hank Aaron has broken out the old "afraid to fly" excuse to explain why he won't be there when/if Barry Bonds breaks his 755 HR record.

First, I don't like to fly. And if I come, there's going to be some controversy. And if I don't come, there's going to be some controversy. I have pride in the record, but records are made to be broken. But the reason I don't want to get involved is everybody is innocent until proven guilty, and we can talk, we can talk, we can talk, but until there's proof, I have no comment.

Translation: Barry Bonds is a steroided up cheater and no way do I want to be there to see my record being broken. At least that's the way we see it.

Meanwhile, an AP Poll found that only 33% of baseball fans want to see Barry Bonds break the all time Home Run record. To which we say, why are you doing most of the polling in San Francisco? That's about 32% more than we expected.

Links:
[ESPN]: Aaron doesn't plan to be there if Bonds hits No. 755
[MSNBC]: Only 33 percent of fans want to see slugger break home run record

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The Full Count: Trevor Hoffman is the all-time saves leader

Posted on Mon Sep 25, 2006 at 01:22:28 PM EST in MLB
More on: Full Count, Padres, records, A's, Tigers, Braves (all tags)

Someone get him some coffee

1. 479: Is Trevor Hoffman the best closer ever? It's a tough argument, but Hoffman now has the ultimate in closing records: the all-time saves record. Hoffman saved his 479th career game on Sunday, breaking Lee Smith's mark. It was his 43rd save of the year, which has arguably been the second-best season of his career (in 1998 he saved 53 in 54 chances). He closed out the last two games of the Padres sweep of the Pirates, giving the team a one-and-a-half game lead in the division. Hoffman deserves some serious consideration for the NL Cy Young; he has a 1.95 ERA, .93 WHIP, and .198 opponent's batting average. Even more impressive, he's done all this as a 38-year old without a true out pitch. One pitch, a changeup, has made Hoffman an all-time record holder.

2. Speaking of closing: The A's have almost clinched the AL West division title. The Angels, the only team that could possibly pass Oakland, stayed alive for two more days. They beat the A's twice in a row over the weekend to keep them from clinching the West. Oakland's magic number remains at 1.

3. The Inevitable: Detroit has been leading the American League Central division every single day since May. Though they had been the best team in the MLB most of the summer, the Tigers had been fading recently. Still, they were able to finally clinch a playoff spot yesterday, finally securing what had seemed inevitable for a while. They clinched the postseason after a three-game sweep in Kansas City, routing the Royals a combined 33-11. Justin Verlander, who has led the Tigers for most of the season, improved to 17-9. Detroit, who is 94-62, still hasn't wrapped up the division. They likely will, though, and in they will probably face the A's in the first round of the playoffs.

4. The only race left: Almost every postseason spot has been clinched or is on the verge of being clinched. The lone race remaining is the three-team shootout for two NL playoff spots. The Phillies, Dodgers, and Padres are going at it for the Wild Card and the West division title. All three teams won yesterday. The Phils hit five homers, including two by Chase Utley, to rout the Marlins 10-7. Jamie Moyer, the former Mariner, improved to 4-2 as a Phillie. The Dodgers won in more dramatic fashion. They were tied with the D-Backs 1-1 in the ninth inning. Then Nomar Garciaparra hit a walk off grand slam, his 19th homer of the year. Garciaparra is the obvious choice for NL comeback player of the year and has produced many clutch hits this year. He's kept the Dodgers, who are a half-game back of the Phillies, in the race.

5. The Braves are officially done: With only six games left, the Braves were officially eliminted from the postseason for the first time in 14 years with a loss to the Rockies. Even with a 7-0 lead in the fourth, the Braves couldn't hold on to win. The chances of Atlanta making the playoffs were slim to none but now Slim has officially left the building.

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Sep 20 in Sports History: Billie Jean King defeats Bobby Riggs

Posted on Wed Sep 20, 2006 at 12:14:43 PM EST in Other Sports
More on: tennis, Babe Ruth, records, Bears, sports history (all tags)

In 1973: In a tennis exhibition match at Houston’s Astrodome, Billie Jean King defeated Bobby Riggs in straight sets. Many viewed it as a milestone in women’s sports, despite King being the top-ranked women’s player and Riggs being 55 years old. Riggs defeated Margaret Court, another highly ranked player, earlier in the year.

In 1927: Babe Ruth of the Yankees hit his 60th homerun of the season. The Babe broke his own record of 59, set in 1921. His record would stand until 1961, when Roger Maris hit 61. Maris’s benchmark stood until the late 1990s, when several players eclipsed 61 numerous times.

In 1987: In a game against the Giants, Walter Payton of the Chicago Bears broke Jim Brown’s record with his 107th career rushing touchdown. “Sweetness” broke the record in 12 years and retired following the 1987 season. Emmitt Smith of the Cowboys now holds the record with 164. Payton was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1993 and sadly died in 1999.

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Sep 14 in Sports History: Jamal Lewis predicts record

Posted on Thu Sep 14, 2006 at 12:25:17 PM EST in NFL
More on: Ravens, Lions, records, sports history (all tags)

In 2003: Jamal Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens broke the single-game NFL rushing record with 295 yards in a 33-13 win against the Cleveland Browns. Lewis carried 30 times for a ridiculous average of 9.8 yards per carry and scored on touchdown runs of 82 (on the second play from scrimmage) and 63 yards. Another 60-yard TD run was nullified by a holding penalty. Lewis went on to rush for 2,066 yards in the 2003 season, second most all-time behind Eric Dickerson. Lewis’s performance in Baltimore surpassed Corey Dillon’s 278 yard effort in 2000. Most impressive though was that Jamal Lewis predicted his record setting day during the week leading up to the game.

In 1994: Although it was a foregone conclusion to many, baseball owners voted 26-2 in favor of officially cancelling the remainder of the season as a result of the then month-old players strike. It was the first time since 1903 that there would be no World Series. The strike did not end until the following April. (baseballlibrary.com)

In 1930: The Detroit Lions franchise played their first NFL game (as the Portsmouth Spartans). They defeated the Newark Tornados 13-6. Although they started 3-0-1, they would finish their first season 5-6-3. They officially became the Lions in 1934, when they also began the tradition of playing on Thanksgiving Day in Detroit. The Lions have an all-time record of 485-542-32 (with a 21-60 record under the Matt Millen regime). (Courtesy of the ESPN Pro Football Encyclopedia)

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