Question of the Week

Randy, Mount Juliet, TN
Subj: The harder they come
In your opinion, what are the hardest positions in sports?

Superb question Randy! After careful consideration I’ve chosen the three most challenging positions in professional sports and ranked them accordingly. Let me know if you agree with my selections.

3. Goalie – Imagine having to stop 100 mph rubber pucks with your crotch as foul-mouthed French guys smelling of poutine and stale cigarettes whiz all around you. It’s all in a day’s work for a goalie, the team’s undisputed rock and, quite literally, it’s last line of defense. Contrary to popular belief, goaltenders are often the best skaters and most skilled players on the team and they require amazing agility, instincts and hand-eye co-ordination in order to get the job done.

2. Catcher – There are few positions in professional sports that require as much multitasking as being a catcher. A good backstop must handle pitchers with radically different styles, know the tendencies of each opposing batter, throw out base stealers and be a tackling dummy in the event of a close play at home. As if that weren’t demanding enough, they also have to be fluent in Spanish and they spend up to two hours a game squatting like a bear relieving itself in the woods. With so much resting on their shoulders, it’s hardly surprising that so many former catchers go on to become outstanding Major League managers.

1. Quarterback – Arguably the most-skilled position in all of sports, a good quarterback must direct personnel, read and react to defenses and memorize and execute dozens of complex plays while trying not to get twisted into a pretzel by a masochistic 350 lb linebacker. If you don’t think being a pro quarterback is tough, just ask Chris Weinke, Danny Wuerffel, Gino Torretta or any of other former Heisman Trophy winners who have sputtered in the NFL.

Baseball's Most Bizarre Injuries

It isn’t uncommon for baseball players to be hard on themselves, but Baltimore Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts took self-punishment to a whole new level in October, 2010 when he beat himself in the head with his baseball bat after striking out at the plate. His temporary lapse of judgment resulted in a low-grade concussion which kept the two-time All-Star out of the lineup for the remainder of the season. “I’ve never had concussion-like symptoms in my life; it’s not fun,” a woozy Roberts said afterwards. “It’s not something you want to go through every day, that’s for sure. It’s a lesson to myself, a lesson to the kids to not do that, no matter how frustrated you are.” Bizarre injuries like Roberts’ are actually quite common in professional baseball, where players are constantly finding new and inventive ways to keep themselves on the sidelines. Learn more about baseball’s most bizarre injuries by clicking here.

Question of the Week

Jack, El Paso, TX
Subj: Pure perfection
Who pitched the first perfect game in American League history?

That honor belongs to Denton “Cy” Young, who ensured his place in the history books on May 5, 1904 when he retired all 27 batters he faced in a 3-0 victory over the Philadelphia Athletics. Athletics manager Connie Mack was so blown away by Young’s dominant performance that he later called it the most impressive game ever pitched.

So how did Young do it? Pure concentration. The 6’2” hurler was so focused on the task at hand that he had no idea he had accomplished the feat until his teammates mobbed him on the mound following the final out.

Least-Deserving MLB All-Stars

Baseball’s Mid-Season Classic is fast approaching, and while the event aims to toast the very best talent in the Major Leagues, one or two undeserving players always squeak in due to the league’s ridiculous rule requiring every team have at least one representative. That statute may have made sense back in 1935 when there were only 16 teams, but now that the league has expanded to 30 squads it’s allowed dozens of hopelessly inefficient fielders and maddeningly inconsistent hurlers to sneak onto Baseball’s biggest stage. Grab your hat, adjust your cup and click HERE as I examine the top 10 least-deserving MLB All-Stars from the past 20 years.

5 Things You Should Know About Jackie Robinson

Baseball has always been a game of numbers, and on April 15, 2011, no number will be more important than 42. That’s the jersey number of Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson, and it will be worn by all 780 Major League Baseball players and managers as they honor the legacy of the first black player to break major-league baseball’s color line.

Born in Cairo, Georgia and raised in Pasadena, California, Robinson began his career in the Negro leagues before leading the Brooklyn Dodgers to six pennants and one World Championship over a memorable 10-year span.

His competitive nature made him one of the finest Major League Baseball players of his day and led Dodgers manager Leo Durocher to quip, “This guy didn't just come to play. He come to beat ya. He come to stuff the goddamn bat right up your ass."

Learn more about Jackie Robinson by clicking here.

In The Spotlight

Professional athletes bounce back from injuries all the time, but it isn’t often that a player returns to form after suffering through a crippling bout of depression. That’s precisely what Reds first baseman Joey Votto did in 2010 when he won the National League Most Valuable Player Award, two years after the sudden loss of his father sent him into a downward spiral filled with hospital visits and near-death experiences. “I was... dealing with the anxieties of grief, sadness, fear, and every emotion you can imagine one goes through,” he admits. “I had a difficult time, [but] I'm here now, and I'm doing better. That's all that matters.” Votto’s remarkable resurgence has since become a source of inspiration for those suffering with anxiety and depression. Learn more about his journey by clicking here.

In The Spotlight

Josh Hamilton has come a long way from wandering through trailer parks jonesing for his next fix. This former No. 1 draft pick has successfully overcome a crippling addiction to drugs and alcohol to become a three-time American League All-Star and one of the top all-around players in the game. Learn more about his remarkable life story by clicking here.

In The Spotlight

The term “hero” is often overused in professional sports, but Jon Lester is one athlete to whom it truly applies. The Red Sox southpaw made headlines across the U.S. in August, 2006, when he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in the midst of his brilliant rookie season. He returned to baseball less than a year later and has since won a World Series championship, pitched a no-hitter and been named to the 2010 American League All-Star team. His courageous spirit and ability to persevere have made him a favorite among baseball fans as well as an inspiration to millions of cancer victims around the world. Read more about Lester by clicking here.

You've Got To Be Joking

Sit back and relax as you enjoy this week’s Sports Shorts.

Tiger Woods has reportedly entered a sex rehab clinic in Arizona. He’s not addicted to sex; he just went to meet some women who are.

GM has decided to stop loaning Tiger Woods free Cadillac’s. On the positive side, he should be able to hitch a ride from any one of his 57 girlfriends.

Dwight Howard and LeBron James have decided to pull out of the Slam Dunk Contest. We’re amazed: We had no idea NBA players knew HOW to pull out.

Victoria Beckham has undergone breast reduction surgery. It sounds like David Beckham is back to being the biggest boob in the family.

Washington shot only 44 percent in a surprising loss to Detroit. It’s nice to hear the Wizards are shooting blanks for a change.

Nets forward Josh Boone says he would love to stay in New Jersey. Boone later retracted his statement after being informed there are 49 other states in the U.S.

The Baseball Hall of Fame has announced they’re keeping Mark McGwire’s bat in Cooperstown. That’s too bad: we were hoping they’d use it to beat some sense into Jose Canseco.

The Lakers have become the first NBA team to reach 3,000 wins. And to think, all it took was being in the same division as the Clippers.

Major League Baseball plans to discuss the expanded use of instant replay. The news is being celebrated by fans who have always felt baseball wasn’t quite slow enough.

The Florida Marlins are set to visit U.S. military troops in Iraq and Kuwait. It’s the perfect mission for a team that’s used to getting blown out.

Question of the Week

Charles, Akron, OH
Subj: What’s in a name?
How did “Cy” Young get his nickname?

Denton True Young had his nickname bestowed upon him in his teens when he tried out for a Canton, Ohio minor league baseball team. According to legend, the catcher assigned to warm him up was so impressed by the velocity of his fastball that he immediately renamed him “Cyclone.” Local reporters eventually shortened the moniker to “Cy” and Young’s identity was forged for the rest of his life. According to Young himself, the secret to his extraordinary success may have been a matter of genetics. “All us Youngs could throw,” he once said. “I used to kill squirrels with a stone when I was a kid, and my granddad once killed a turkey buzzard on the fly with a rock.”

Getting Animated

It’s time for another hilarious episode of Sports Talk Weekly, the show that trashes athletes and sports via animated shorts. This week’s installment takes aim at Dontrelle Willis, Gary Sheffield, Mike Piazza, LeBron James, Jason Kidd, Allen Iverson, Andrew Bynum, Charles Barkley, Tyreke Evans, Michael Vick and much, much more! Check it out by clicking here.

Question of the Week

James, Bismarck, ND
Subj: Baseball face-off
Which batter/pitcher combination has faced each other the most times in MLB history?

That distinction belongs to Ty Cobb and Walter Johnson who faced each other 368 times over a highly entertaining 21 year span. It may surprise you to learn that Johnson got the best of Cobb during their first eight years in the Big Leagues, holding the Georgia Peach to a .222 average. However, that all changed on August 10, 1915 when The Big Train got severely rattled after hitting Detroit infielder Ossie Vitt in the melon. Cobb soon surmised that Johnson was fearful of hitting opposing batters and he began crowding the plate during his subsequent encounters with the Senators ace. “From 10 inches or so back of the plate I moved in until at last I was standing right against it, and even out over the plate with my bent knees and arms” Cobb later explained. “With the plate tucked under me, I was giving Johnson only a few inches of target. It was cheating, if you will, but also strategy. I was gambling that Johnson would be so afraid of hitting me that he’d work to the outside corner.” His instincts paid off and Cobb averaged .435 against Johnson from 1915-1926 to finish with a .370 lifetime average against the Hall of Fame hurler.

Question of the Week

Brad, Novi, Michigan
Subj: What’s in a name?
I heard that Jonathan Papelbon has a slider-cutter hybrid pitch that he calls the slutter. Is it common for pitchers to name their specialty pitches?

Absolutely, Brad. Former Mets reliever Tug McGraw assigned names to nearly all of his fastballs, including the Lady Godiva, which had nothing on it, the John Jameson, which was fast and straight like a fine Irish whiskey, and the Bo Derek, which had a nice little tail. As amusing as his names may have been, nobody can beat the outlandish creativity of former NBA journeyman Darryl Dawkins, who coined unique handles for every one of his highlight reel dunks. Among his most legendary were the In Your Face Disgrace, the Go-rilla, the Earthquaker Shaker, the Candyslam, the Dunk You Very Much, the Turbo Sexophonic Delight, the Spine Chiller Supreme and, my personal favorite, the Chocolate-Thunder-Flying, Glass-Flying, Robinzine-Crying, Babies-Crying, Glass-Still-Flying, Cats-Crying, Rump-Roasting, Bun-Toasting, Thank You-Wham-Bam-I-Am-Jam. The NBA is a far less colorful place without Chocolate Thunder rattling its rims.

Question of the Week

Todd, Oakland, CA
Subj: Jack of all trades
Has there ever been a major league player who has played every position on the baseball field?

You bet, Todd. That unique feat was accomplished by José Oquendo, a sweet-fielding utility man who played all nine positions for the St. Louis Cardinals in 1988. “The Secret Weapon,” as he was affectionately known, further cemented his place in baseball history that year when he became the first position player in 20 years to earn a decision in a 19 inning loss to the Atlanta Braves. Despite turning in a solid four innings of work, Oquendo was less than thrilled with having to take the mound. “I hope this never happens again because it means that something has gone wrong,” he said after the game. Apparently his manager didn’t bother to listen because Oquendo made another relief appearance in 1991, giving up three runs in a single inning of work. He finished his career with 14 homeruns, 254 RBIs, a .256 batting average and a record of 0-1.

Question of the Week

Brent, Toronto, ON
Subj: Close but no cigar
Has any pitcher ever lost a decision after throwing a complete game no-hitter?

Absolutely, Brent. The event occurred for the first time in baseball’s modern era on April 23, 1964 when Houston hurler Ken Johnson lost 1-0 to the Cincinnati Reds. The winning run was scored by Pete Rose in the top of the ninth following a pair of costly errors. Despite the bittersweet outcome Johnson managed to remain upbeat after the game when reporters informed him of his unique feat. "Say, I guess that will put me in baseball history,” he said, breaking out into a broad smile. “What a way to get in the book."

Speculation on Sirius Satellite Radio

I recently had the pleasure of appearing on Speculation, a seriously hip call-in show hosted by fellow sports junkies Dave Golokhov and Matt Cauz. You can listen to my segment by clicking here. Simply follow the link to the archive section beneath the Speculation logo.

Speculation on Sirius Satellite Radio

I recently had the pleasure of appearing on Speculation, a seriously hip call-in show hosted by fellow sports junkies Dave Golokhov and Matt Cauz. You can listen to my segment by clicking here.

Question of the Week

Steve, Cincinnati, OH
Subj: Extra digits
Hey Ryan, would you prefer to have a sixth finger on each hand or a third nipple on your chest?

It’s not even close, Steve. I would definitely opt for the sixth finger on each hand. After all, the male nipple is more useless than Britney Spears’ therapist, but a sixth finger can turn you into a Major League talent. Just ask Antonio Alfonseca. The former Philadelphia Phillies reliever has 12 fingers and 12 toes and he enjoyed a productive 11-year career. In fact, Alfonseca actually credits his success to the added rotation he gets from his extra digit. Maybe that’s why he embraces his condition so fully. "I see [people] staring sometimes," he admits. "It's OK. I don't care. It's no big deal to me. Some people see it as a bad thing. I don't." I’d like to think I’d feel the exact same way. Plus, it would be nice to have an extra finger to pick my nose.

Question of the Week

Rod, St, Paul, MN
Subj: Pulling double duty
Hey Ryan, has there ever been an ambidextrous pitcher in the Major Leagues?

You bet, Rod. Since the game’s inception six players have pitched with both hands in the same outing. They include Larry Corcoran (1880-1887), Tony Mullane (1881-1894), Elton Chamberlain (1886-1896), George Wheeler (1896-1899), Moxie Manuel (1905-1908), and Greg Harris (1981-1995). Although these double duty specialists have been a rarity in recent years, there’s a good chance we’ll see another ambidextrous hurler in the near future. His name is Pat Venditte and he’s making headlines as a lights-out reliever for the Creighton Bluejays. Venditte, who wears an ambidextrous glove with two thumb holes and four fingers, finished the season 8-2 with a 1.88 ERA, leading many pundits to speculate he’ll be drafted next month. "He has the advantage with every batter," says Creighton head coach Ed Servais. "You don't have to go righty-lefty. He is a righty-lefty in himself. He is a bullpen in himself." The only question that remains is which hand Venditte will use to sign his first big league contract.

Question of the Week

Bob Bridgewater NJ
Subj: I Meant To Do That
Why is it that when a batter hits a cheap grounder that just happens to roll between two infielders the announcer will usually comment on the batter's ability in executing this "hit"? Am I wrong in thinking that this is merely luck?

Not at all, Bob. However, I do think you’re undervaluing the importance of luck in baseball. After all, the difference between a player hitting .230 or .300 is usually just a matter of 25 or so “lucky” hits finding their way through the infield or blooping into center. That’s why former Yankees pitcher Lefty Gomez once observed, “I’d rather be lucky than good.” It’s also why so many Major Leaguers try to control their luck through the practice of elaborate superstitions. Craig Biggio, for instance, tries to improve his performance by never washing his helmet, Wade Boggs hoped to raise his average by eating chicken before every single game and former Mets reliever Turk Wendell made a habit of chewing licorice and brushing his teeth between every inning he pitched. What makes these otherwise sane men slaves to these odd routines? It’s luck, and in baseball, it’s everything.