archive

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

College Football: Pro and Con(servative) Views

Despite the Big Ten's expansion, Frank Deford says the conference will struggle to compete with pro football in the Northeast. The conference announced the addition of Maryland and Rutgers earlier this month.

November 28, 2012 College sports fans can be distinctively different from the pro variety, no matter where they are. And that might complicate the growth plans of athletic conferences such as as the Big Ten, says Frank Deford.

Transcript

On Morning EditionPlaylist

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

What's Good For The Goose Is Good For The Gander

Jockey Rosie Napravnik sponges off Shanghai Bobby after winning the Breeders' Cup Juvenile horse race at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif.

November 21, 2012 Rosie Napravnik is America's leading jockey — and a woman in a male-dominated sport. Commentator Frank Deford reflects on women's sports, competing with men, and fans.

Transcript

On Morning EditionPlaylist

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Dear Sports Czars: Take Your Ball And Go Home

NBA Commissioner David Stern speaks during a basketball news conference on Oct. 25. Stern announced he will retire on Feb. 1, 2014.

November 14, 2012 Many sports bosses are tarnishing their achievements by overstaying their welcome, says commentator Frank Deford.

Transcript

On Morning EditionPlaylist

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

The American Pastime Fades In Popularity

A baseball hugging a football.

October 31, 2012 As baseball declines in popularity, football continues to rise. Commentator Frank Deford reflects on the switch from baseball to football as America's favorite sport.

Transcript

On Morning EditionPlaylist

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Brooklyn Finally Nets A Team Of Its Own

C.J. Watson of the Brooklyn Nets dribbles upcourt in a preseason game against the Philadelphia 76ers. The New York City borough finally has a pro sports team to call its own, says Frank Deford.

October 24, 2012 In its long history, Brooklyn has been famous for two sports events: No. 1, having the Dodgers; No. 2, losing the Dodgers. But now Brooklyn has an NBA team, a fancy new arena — and even a floor that may set a new trend.

Transcript

On Morning EditionPlaylist

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Kickers Are Taking The Kick Out Of Football

Place kicker Matt Prater of the Denver Broncos kicks a second quarter field goal on a hold by Britton Colquitt against the Houston Texans at Sports Authority Field Field at Mile High in Denver on Sept. 23.

October 17, 2012 So far this year, NFL field goal kickers have made 88 percent of their attempts. They've even made two-thirds of their tries from more than 50 yards. When kickers are that good it hurts the game, says commentator Frank Deford.

Transcript

On Morning EditionPlaylist

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

It's Good To Root, Root, Root For The Home Team

Baltimore Orioles Nate McLouth (from left), J.J. Hardy, Robert Andino and Manny Machado high-five teammates after Game 2 of Major League Baseball's American League Division Series against the New York Yankees. Somewhere, commentator and Orioles fan Frank Deford is also giving high-fives.

October 10, 2012 In the world of sports — even if you move often — commentator Frank Deford says your loyalty should always be to your hometown team.

Transcript

On Morning EditionPlaylist

Wednesday, October 03, 2012

The NFL's Lesson: There's No Replacing Good Refs

Referee Walt Anderson makes a call in the Chicago Bears game against the Dallas Cowboys Monday, ending the NFL's first full slate of games with its regular officials.

October 3, 2012 Only two groups of people really matter in any game: the players and the officials. That's the lesson the NFL inadvertently taught football fans in the past four weeks, says Frank Deford. At many stadiums, the regular officials were greeted with loud ovations after their lockout ended.

Transcript

On Morning EditionPlaylist

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

RG3: A Game Changer For 'Thirds' Everywhere

Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III watches from the sidelines. RG3 as he is known has a fan in other thirds like Frank Deford.

September 26, 2012 When sport and language intersect, they can help define how we speak and think — consider the "level playing field." And in Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III, the sons of juniors, such as Benjamin Franklin Deford III, might have found a game changer.

Transcript

On Morning EditionPlaylist

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

The Big East Conference: What's In A Name?

Big East commissioner Mike Aresco answers questions from the media before an NCAA college football game. Aresco says there are no plans for the conference to change its name.

September 19, 2012 Athletic conferences don't make much sense anymore. Commentator Frank Deford remarks on how the Big East conference is no longer as big or as east as it used to be.

Transcript

On Morning EditionPlaylist

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.

Transcript

On Morning EditionPlaylist

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.

Transcript

On Morning EditionPlaylist

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.

Transcript

On Morning EditionPlaylist

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.

Transcript

On Morning EditionPlaylist

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.

Transcript

On Morning EditionPlaylist

NPR thanks our sponsors

Become an NPR Sponsor

Podcast + RSS Feeds

Podcast RSS

  • Opinion
     
  • Sweetness And Light