It’s been a bad twenty years for youth baseball.
Joe’s Notes: The NFC North Is Ripe for Disappointment
Every NFC North team fits a letdown archetype. Also: Pedro Grifol fired, and five bad days for the Braves.
Joe’s Notes: Who Will Make the Dumbest Trade Deadline Move?
We nominate the Oakland Athletics. Also: Jordan Love, Kevin Durant, and thoughts on the trades that have happened.
Joe’s Notes: How the ACC Can Regain Respect
Kidnapping Paul Finebaum is not the answer.
Joe’s Notes: Checking the MLB Standings
It’s Memorial Day Weekend. Here’s where the standings stand. Plus: MVP and Cy Young races, more on House v. NCAA, and an Indy 500 weather update.
Joe’s Notes: What’s the Deal With the Timberwolves’ Ownership Situation?
A refresher on A-Rod vs. Glen Taylor. Also: The Mavs’ tanking worked, the Cubs’ bullpen is medium, and the Packers have some anti-divas.
Joe’s Notes: Doc Rivers Has Lost With Some Great Players
The best championship-less players these last 15 years all played under Doc. Also: Details on the potential House v. NCAA settlement, Cubs vs. Brewers, and Braves vs. Dodgers.
Joe’s Notes: The Toronto Maple Leafs Are Rich and Bad
Uniquely so. Also: Will the Suns and Kevin Durant part ways? Should the Braves be World Series favorites? And how good will UConn’s latest additions be?
Joe’s Notes: Big 12 Football Needs a Juggernaut
The New Big 12 just produced only one first-round draft pick. Also: Which first round series are over, Jackson Holliday’s demotion, and the Bears’ real accomplishment.
Joe’s Notes: One-and-Dones Aren’t Just Freshmen
So far, first-year transfers come with a firm ceiling. Also: Mason Miller and the trade deadline, fuel savings and crash avoidance, and where the Bulls go with LaVine and DeRozan.
Joe’s Notes: The WNBA CBA Is Holding Back Caitlin Clark
The league and its union did not account for a generational superstar. Also: What Jimmy Butler’s injury does to the Heat, Reed Sheppard goes pro, and Jameson Taillon prepares for his season debut.
Two Dog Special: The Masters Begins, Jackson Holliday Debuts, and the Packers Are Going to Brazil
All the sports you need on a Thursday morning in April.
Stu’s Notes: Tom Crean, NIT Friend
Tom Crean is a good man. Also: NIT snubs, attendance vs. ratings, and a message about the curses.
Stu’s Notes: Why Don’t More Fans Strategically Stop Play?
Reflections on the fire alarm. Then: Kevin McCullar vs. Bill Self, what’s up with Greg McDermott, and we try to diminish the accomplishments of youths.
Joe’s Notes: NCAA Tournament Selection Is Too Far in the Weeds
We can have nuance without fixating on Q1 wins. Also: Bunting for a hit, Texas/Texas Tech regression, and the Western Conference Play-In Tournament might be loaded.
Stu’s Notes: John Calipari Isn’t Bringing Championships to Kentucky
Once a national champion at Memphis, Calipari’s performance in Lexington has never matched the promise of 2013. Also: Patrick Mahomes’s kids names, the world vs. Caitlin Clark, and Morgan Rielly didn’t want to fight.
Stu’s Notes: What Does ‘Comeback Player of the Year’ Mean?
Is it about the comeback? Or do you have to be a player? Also: Chekhovian doinks, Joe Barry chaos, and MLB vs. Flopping.
Stu’s Notes: The Other Reasons Trevor Bauer Hasn’t Signed
It’s more than the assault allegations. Also: The Bears try to get softer, Nick Saban inches towards professional wrestling, and a study on Target Field’s target.