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Wednesday, September 12, 2012

NFL's West Coast Teams Have An Edge: The Sandman

Quarterback Matt Stafford and the Detroit Lions will travel to San Francisco to play the 49ers Sunday night. Because their body clocks are set to the Eastern time zone, the Lions could be at a disadvantage.

September 12, 2012 When NFL teams from the East Coast play teams from the West Coast, the outcome might depend on what time of day the game starts. And if you're a gambler, the West Coast players could have enough of an edge to make you consider betting on them.

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Wednesday, September 05, 2012

Southern Pride And The Southeastern Conference

Texas A&M Coach Kevin Sumlin speaks to reporters at the Southeastern Conference NCAA college football media day.

September 5, 2012 If your football team is a member of the SEC, you don't just root for your own team — you root for the whole division. Commentator Frank Deford takes a look at Southern pride.

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Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Just Say No: Doping Diminishes All Athletes

San Francisco Giants' Melky Cabrera fouls off a pitch. Cabrera was suspended Aug 15 for 50 games without pay after testing positive for high levels of testosterone.

August 29, 2012 Athletes aren't always the best role models but, for commentator Frank Deford, the worst sin they can commit is doping.

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Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Serena Williams Takes Tennis For A Ride

Serena Williams returns a shot during a match at the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament in Mason, Ohio.

August 22, 2012 The U.S. Open tennis tournament starts next week and, as commentator Frank Deford points out, Serena Williams may be the best reason to watch.

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Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Feeling Just Wild About Wild Cards

Baltimore Orioles center fielder Adam Jones is out at second against Kansas City Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar. Despite less-than-stellar statistics, the Orioles are contenders in the American League wild-card race.

August 15, 2012 More wild-card teams in baseball? The more the merrier, says commentator Frank Deford, as it makes the playoffs that much more exciting.

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Wednesday, August 08, 2012

How Can You Really Measure The Greatest Olympian?

Before U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps broke the record for the most medals, did anyone say the precious record-holder, gymnast Larisa Latynina, was the greatest Olympian?

August 8, 2012 Commentator Frank Deford says it's hard enough comparing teams and stars from different eras in the same sport, let alone across sports.

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Wednesday, August 01, 2012

Four Sports Superstars, Four Years Later

Michael Phelps reacts after winning silver in the men's 200-meter butterfly final at the Aquatics Centre on Tuesday. South Africa's Chad le Clos took home the gold.

August 1, 2012 Commentator Frank Deford looks back at four of the greatest athletes of 2008 and where they are now.

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Wednesday, July 25, 2012

From Obscurity To The Olympics Back To Obscurity

Know who this gymnast is? You will soon. Seventeen-year-old Jordyn Wieber will compete for the U.S. women's gymnastics team in the 2012 London Olympics.

July 25, 2012 It's time for the Olympics! Which means, at least for commentator Frank Deford, that it's time to cheer for obscure sports that we only watch every four years.

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Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Doping In Baseball: The Needle And The Damage Done

Marathon medal winners listen to the anthem from the victory stand during the presentation ceremony at the XXI Summer Olympic Games in Montreal in 1976. From left, Frank Shorter, U.S.A., silver; Waldemar Cierpinski, East Germany, gold, Olympic record; and Karel Lismont, Belgium, bronze. Evidence of doping by the East Germans suggests that Shorter deserved the gold medal.

July 18, 2012 Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens are being considered for induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Is it fair to other players if Clemens and Bonds receive the honor?

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Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Going To The Game: The Price Is Wrong?

Andy Murray returns a shot during the men's final match at Wimbledon. A pair of tickets for the match went for £32,000 (about $50,000).

July 11, 2012 With tickets to games as expensive as they are, commentator Frank Deford wouldn't be surprised if a trip to a ballgame becomes a once-in-a-lifetime event, like visiting the Grand Canyon.

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Wednesday, July 04, 2012

Joe Paterno's Legacy: Protect Players At All Costs

Joe Paterno walks the sidelines during warm-ups before a game between his Penn State Nittany Lions and the Temple Owls in Philadelphia last September. Paterno, who died in January, was fired on Nov. 9, four days after Jerry Sandusky was initially arrested on charges of sexually abusing 10 boys.

July 4, 2012 The key to winning as a big-time coach is keeping your players eligible. Commentator Frank Deford says that when Joe Paterno's old assistant was in trouble, his instincts kicked in: Paterno kept Jerry Sandusky eligible.

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Wednesday, June 27, 2012

The Man Who Painted Sport, Bright And Beautiful

Artist LeRoy Neiman, who died last week at 91, signs serigraphs of baseball's Mike Piazza (left) in 2000.

June 27, 2012 The recent death of artist LeRoy Neiman calls for remembering a man who was humble with his success, and generous with his help.

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Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Title IX At 40: What Has Changed, And What's Next

The adoption of Title IX has spurred growth in women's collegiate sports, including soccer. But a women's pro league has struggled, cutting its season short this year. Here, Notre Dame celebrates winning the NCAA College Cup in 2010.

June 20, 2012 It's been 40 years since the adoption of Title IX, the gender equity law that changed college athletics for both women and men. Commenting on the law's future, Frank Deford says that as women dominate college rolls, football fans might be in for a rude shock.

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Wednesday, June 13, 2012

The Language Of Baseball: In Is Out And Foul Is Fair

Pittsburgh Pirates fans reach for a foul ball hit into the stands by Mike Moustakas of the Kansas City Royals in the seventh inning of a game in Pittsburgh.

June 13, 2012 Why is it called a foul ball? Why not just say it's out? Commentator Frank Deford doth wonder if the language in baseball hath Shakespearean roots.

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Wednesday, June 06, 2012

Please Sir, I'd Rather Have Another

Triple Crown hopefull I'll Have Another is ridden by exercise rider Jonny Garcia during a morning workout at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y.

June 6, 2012 In the run-up to the Belmont — the final race in the Triple Crown — commentator Frank Deford explains why he doesn't want I'll Have Another to be the winning horse.

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