Earlier this week, former NCAA All-American and NFL Pro Bowl safety Jack Tatum died of a heart attack. Perhaps the most controversial moment of Tatum’s career was when he hit New England Patriots wide receiver Darryl Stingley during a preseason game in 1978, leaving the receiver paralyzed from the chest down. Though the hit was legal and no penalty was called on the play, it is widely regarded as a catalyst for the league later changing its rules to better protect receivers.
Steve Grogan was the Patriots’ quarterback at the time, and he joined 98.5 The Sports Hub in Boston with Mike Felger and Tony Massarotti to talk about Tatum, Stingley, and what he thinks of the incident. To listen to the interview, go to Sports Radio Interviews. Responses have been edited for clarity and brevity.
Former New England Patriots quarterback Steve Grogan says it’s difficult to forgive Jack Tatum for paralyzing Darryl Stingley.
What is Grogan’s reaction to Tatum’s death, and what does he remember about him as a person?
Grogan: I guess it doesn’t surprise me. I read that he’s had some health issues the past several years, in magazines and newspapers. I just got off the phone with somebody at ESPN talking about the same thing, and I was telling him that there’s not too many people that I can’t find something nice to say about when this kind of situation arises. But, unfortunately, Jack Tatum is one guy that I just can’t find anything nice to say about. Just the way he handles the whole situation – it bothers me that I feel that way, but to never apologize to Darryl, to try to make money off the whole situation, never showing any regret or remorse. This is a man who wasn’t a good person.
Does Grogan think the play that paralyzed Stingley was a dirty hit?
Grogan: It was a hit that I probably wouldn’t call dirty, but it was unnecessary. It was a preseason game. It was a ball that I threw late — overthrew, because I did throw late — and was just trying to throw it away. Darryl went up into the air — and normally in a preseason game guys take care of each other in those situations — and Darryl just happened to get caught with his head in the wrong position, and Tatum just blasted him for no obvious reason in a game like that.
I saw hundreds of hits like that before and after, and it’s just unfortunately in Darryl’s situation that it caused paralysis, and in all the other situations the guy got up and continued to play.
What else can he share about Tatum, as a person?
Grogan: I can’t speak to that. I know Darryl was a great guy and I’m sure if Tatum had extended a hand to him and reached across the aisle and tried to at least apologize, Darryl probably would have accepted that. But that never happened, and as far as I know, Darryl resented the fact that Tatum never talked to him… The only time he ever really made contact with him was when he wanted to write a book or do a TV show and make some money off the whole thing.
How did other Raider players and coaches treat Stingley after the incident?
Grogan: From what I understand, Coach [John] Madden was great with Darryl. And I’m sure there were other Raiders players that visited him. I can’t tell you names right now, and in all honesty, you may talk to some of the Raiders of that time and they may tell you that Jack Tatum was a great guy and a great football player. Our experience with him is that he was just not a nice person, and did something to one of our players that could have been avoided, and never showed any remorse for it. And it’s hard to forgive that.
Does Grogan think the NFL has gotten more violent? What does he think about the league’s recent efforts to minimize dangerous play?
Grogan: I think the game can be played very physically without having to take the shots that everyone wants to get on ESPN. Everybody wants to see their hit make the highlights and I think that’s what the game is trying to legislate out of the NFL. Those kinds of hits are just totally unnecessary and cause a lot of damage that, actually, they don’t need. Players are too valuable these days; they’ve got too much money invested in these guys to have them sitting on the sideline. So they’re trying to take better care of that and I agree with that.
Earlier this week, former NCAA All-American and NFL Pro Bowl safety Jack Tatum died of a heart attack. Perhaps the most controversial moment of Tatum’s career was when he hit New England Patriots wide receiver Darryl Stingley during a preseason game in 1978, leaving the receiver paralyzed from the chest down. Though the hit was legal and no penalty was called on the play, it is widely regarded as a catalyst for the league later changing its rules to better protect receivers.
Steve Grogan was the Patriots’ quarterback at the time, and he joined 98.5 The Sports Hub in Boston with Mike Felger and Tony Massarotti to talk about Tatum, Stingley, and what he thinks of the incident. To listen to the interview, go to Sports Radio Interviews. Responses have been edited for clarity and brevity.
Former New England Patriots quarterback Steve Grogan says it’s difficult to forgive Jack Tatum for paralyzing Darryl Stingley.
What is Grogan’s reaction to Tatum’s death, and what does he remember about him as a person?
Grogan: I guess it doesn’t surprise me. I read that he’s had some health issues the past several years, in magazines and newspapers. I just got off the phone with somebody at ESPN talking about the same thing, and I was telling him that there’s not too many people that I can’t find something nice to say about when this kind of situation arises. But, unfortunately, Jack Tatum is one guy that I just can’t find anything nice to say about. Just the way he handles the whole situation – it bothers me that I feel that way, but to never apologize to Darryl, to try to make money off the whole situation, never showing any regret or remorse. This is a man who wasn’t a good person.
Does Grogan think the play that paralyzed Stingley was a dirty hit?
Grogan: It was a hit that I probably wouldn’t call dirty, but it was unnecessary. It was a preseason game. It was a ball that I threw late — overthrew, because I did throw late — and was just trying to throw it away. Darryl went up into the air — and normally in a preseason game guys take care of each other in those situations — and Darryl just happened to get caught with his head in the wrong position, and Tatum just blasted him for no obvious reason in a game like that.
I saw hundreds of hits like that before and after, and it’s just unfortunately in Darryl’s situation that it caused paralysis, and in all the other situations the guy got up and continued to play.
What else can he share about Tatum, as a person?
Grogan: I can’t speak to that. I know Darryl was a great guy and I’m sure if Tatum had extended a hand to him and reached across the aisle and tried to at least apologize, Darryl probably would have accepted that. But that never happened, and as far as I know, Darryl resented the fact that Tatum never talked to him… The only time he ever really made contact with him was when he wanted to write a book or do a TV show and make some money off the whole thing.
How did other Raider players and coaches treat Stingley after the incident?
Grogan: From what I understand, Coach [John] Madden was great with Darryl. And I’m sure there were other Raiders players that visited him. I can’t tell you names right now, and in all honesty, you may talk to some of the Raiders of that time and they may tell you that Jack Tatum was a great guy and a great football player. Our experience with him is that he was just not a nice person, and did something to one of our players that could have been avoided, and never showed any remorse for it. And it’s hard to forgive that.
Does Grogan think the NFL has gotten more violent? What does he think about the league’s recent efforts to minimize dangerous play?
Grogan: I think the game can be played very physically without having to take the shots that everyone wants to get on ESPN. Everybody wants to see their hit make the highlights and I think that’s what the game is trying to legislate out of the NFL. Those kinds of hits are just totally unnecessary and cause a lot of damage that, actually, they don’t need. Players are too valuable these days; they’ve got too much money invested in these guys to have them sitting on the sideline. So they’re trying to take better care of that and I agree with that.
BALTIMORE — Buck Showalter was hired to manage the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday, his latest rebuilding project in a major league career full of them.
Showalter’s first game will be Tuesday night at Camden Yards against the Los Angeles Angels.
Baltimore had the worst record in the majors at 31-70 going into Thursday night against Kansas City and is headed toward its 13th straight losing season. The Orioles fired manager Dave Trembley on June 4 and replaced him on an interim basis with Juan Samuel.
"Buck Showalter’s proven track record makes him the right choice for manager of the Orioles," president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail said in a statement. "We believe Buck’s extensive experience and expertise will be a major benefit to us as we look towards a more successful future."
Samuel will return to his job as the team’s third-base coach. Baltimore went 16-31 with him in charge.
The rest of the Orioles’ coaching staff will stay intact. Gary Allenson, the interim third-base coach, will resume his spot as manager at Triple-A Norfolk.
Showalter’s move was first reported by ESPN, where he worked as an analyst. His last television appearance was on Monday.
"My job with ESPN allowed me to follow this organization closely over the last several years, and although the current record may seem to indicate otherwise, I see enormous potential with this club," Showalter said in a statement released by the team. "I look forward to the challenge of competing in the American League East. Baltimore is a tremendous baseball town with passion and pride in its club, and my family and I look forward to making it our new home."
Showalter is a two-time AL Manager of the Year, winning the award in 1994 with the New York Yankees and 2004 with Texas. Both times, he had taken over teams and guided their turnarounds.
The 54-year-old Showalter also was the first manager in the history of the Arizona Diamondbacks. He was hired well in advance and given time to put the Diamondbacks in position to contend once they started playing in 1998. He was fired after the 2000 season, and Arizona won the World Series the next year.
A former minor league player who never made it to the majors, Showalter is known for a strong will and an obsession with fundamentals, details and preparation – he would often sleep in his office when there was a day game following a night game.
Showalter also does not tolerate players acting like stars, even if they are top talents. He feuded with Alex Rodriguez in 2003, when they were together in Texas.
Showalter’s last year as a manager was 2006 with the Rangers. His overall record is 882-833 in 11 years.
In Baltimore, Showalter faces an especially tough task.
The once-proud franchise has fallen on hard times since reaching the playoffs in 1997, usually finishing far behind rich AL powers Boston and the Yankees. No one pitcher currently on the Orioles has more than four victories this year and no hitter is at .300.
The Orioles interviewed former major league managers Bobby Valentine and Eric Wedge, ex-Baltimore catcher Rick Dempsey and Samuel before settling on Showalter.
MacPhail wanted to have a manager in place this season, to give the newcomer a better chance to evaluate the talent in Baltimore. MacPhail joined the franchise in June 2007.
Trembley was one of four managers to be fired this year. Kansas City’s Trey Hillman, Arizona’s A.J. Hinch and Florida’s Fredi Gonzalez also were dismissed.
Copyright 2010 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Sporting News staff reports
BALTIMORE — Buck Showalter was hired to manage the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday, his latest rebuilding project in a major league career full of them.
Showalter’s first game will be Tuesday night at Camden Yards against the Los Angeles Angels.
Baltimore had the worst record in the majors at 31-70 going into Thursday night against Kansas City and is headed toward its 13th straight losing season. The Orioles fired manager Dave Trembley on June 4 and replaced him on an interim basis with Juan Samuel.
"Buck Showalter’s proven track record makes him the right choice for manager of the Orioles," president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail said in a statement. "We believe Buck’s extensive experience and expertise will be a major benefit to us as we look towards a more successful future."
Samuel will return to his job as the team’s third-base coach. Baltimore went 16-31 with him in charge.
The rest of the Orioles’ coaching staff will stay intact. Gary Allenson, the interim third-base coach, will resume his spot as manager at Triple-A Norfolk.
Showalter’s move was first reported by ESPN, where he worked as an analyst. His last television appearance was on Monday.
"My job with ESPN allowed me to follow this organization closely over the last several years, and although the current record may seem to indicate otherwise, I see enormous potential with this club," Showalter said in a statement released by the team. "I look forward to the challenge of competing in the American League East. Baltimore is a tremendous baseball town with passion and pride in its club, and my family and I look forward to making it our new home."
Showalter is a two-time AL Manager of the Year, winning the award in 1994 with the New York Yankees and 2004 with Texas. Both times, he had taken over teams and guided their turnarounds.
The 54-year-old Showalter also was the first manager in the history of the Arizona Diamondbacks. He was hired well in advance and given time to put the Diamondbacks in position to contend once they started playing in 1998. He was fired after the 2000 season, and Arizona won the World Series the next year.
A former minor league player who never made it to the majors, Showalter is known for a strong will and an obsession with fundamentals, details and preparation – he would often sleep in his office when there was a day game following a night game.
Showalter also does not tolerate players acting like stars, even if they are top talents. He feuded with Alex Rodriguez in 2003, when they were together in Texas.
Showalter’s last year as a manager was 2006 with the Rangers. His overall record is 882-833 in 11 years.
In Baltimore, Showalter faces an especially tough task.
The once-proud franchise has fallen on hard times since reaching the playoffs in 1997, usually finishing far behind rich AL powers Boston and the Yankees. No one pitcher currently on the Orioles has more than four victories this year and no hitter is at .300.
The Orioles interviewed former major league managers Bobby Valentine and Eric Wedge, ex-Baltimore catcher Rick Dempsey and Samuel before settling on Showalter.
MacPhail wanted to have a manager in place this season, to give the newcomer a better chance to evaluate the talent in Baltimore. MacPhail joined the franchise in June 2007.
Trembley was one of four managers to be fired this year. Kansas City’s Trey Hillman, Arizona’s A.J. Hinch and Florida’s Fredi Gonzalez also were dismissed.
Copyright 2010 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro reports the Rangers are still talking with the Marlins about acquiring infielder Jorge Cantu prior to Saturday’s nonwaiver trading deadline.
Florida is trying to get two young pitchers from Texas; Frisaro reports one of them is Evan Reed, who is pitching for Double-A Frisco.
Cantu would give Texas a right-handed hitting alternative to first baseman Chris Davis, who has hit poorly since being recalled from the minors. Cantu is batting .260 with 10 home runs and 54 RBIs.
Sporting News staff reports
MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro reports the Rangers are still talking with the Marlins about acquiring infielder Jorge Cantu prior to Saturday’s nonwaiver trading deadline.
Florida is trying to get two young pitchers from Texas; Frisaro reports one of them is Evan Reed, who is pitching for Double-A Frisco.
Cantu would give Texas a right-handed hitting alternative to first baseman Chris Davis, who has hit poorly since being recalled from the minors. Cantu is batting .260 with 10 home runs and 54 RBIs.
Nationals right-hander Miguel Batista is doing damage control a day after his "Miss Iowa" quip.
Batista tells The Washington Post he sent flowers to the real Miss Iowa, Katherine Connors, as a mea culpa for a quote some — including the Miss Iowa folks — considered disrespectful.
First, the back story: Batista pitched five shutout innings Tuesday in an emergency spot start, after Stephen Strasburg was scratched with shoulder inflammation. Afterward, Batista talked about being booed by disappointed Nationals fans as he took the mound.
"Imagine if you go to see Miss Universe, then you end up having Miss Iowa, you might get those kind of boos," Batista said. "But it’s OK. They have to understand that as an organization we have to make sure that the kid is fine. You don’t want to expose him out there and screw up his future."
Batista tried to clarify today. "People started booing me, and they hadn’t seen me throw a pitch yet," Batista tells the Post. "It’s like you hear Miss Iowa, and you say, ‘Iowa?’ And then you see her up close and you say, ‘Wow, she’s gorgeous.’ "
Connors — or at least the Miss Iowa organizers — got wind of the Batista quote and, in a statement, fired back.
"I know I can throw a pitch or two!" Connors was quoted as saying, per the Des Moines Register. "The question is, can Miguel Batista walk the runway in a swimsuit?"
Also, Craig Heitkamp, executive co-director of the Miss Iowa Pageant, invited Batista to be a judge at the state pageant Oct. 23-24 in Ames.
Sporting News staff reports
Nationals right-hander Miguel Batista is doing damage control a day after his "Miss Iowa" quip.
Batista tells The Washington Post he sent flowers to the real Miss Iowa, Katherine Connors, as a mea culpa for a quote some — including the Miss Iowa folks — considered disrespectful.
First, the back story: Batista pitched five shutout innings Tuesday in an emergency spot start, after Stephen Strasburg was scratched with shoulder inflammation. Afterward, Batista talked about being booed by disappointed Nationals fans as he took the mound.
"Imagine if you go to see Miss Universe, then you end up having Miss Iowa, you might get those kind of boos," Batista said. "But it’s OK. They have to understand that as an organization we have to make sure that the kid is fine. You don’t want to expose him out there and screw up his future."
Batista tried to clarify today. "People started booing me, and they hadn’t seen me throw a pitch yet," Batista tells the Post. "It’s like you hear Miss Iowa, and you say, ‘Iowa?’ And then you see her up close and you say, ‘Wow, she’s gorgeous.’ "
Connors — or at least the Miss Iowa organizers — got wind of the Batista quote and, in a statement, fired back.
"I know I can throw a pitch or two!" Connors was quoted as saying, per the Des Moines Register. "The question is, can Miguel Batista walk the runway in a swimsuit?"
Also, Craig Heitkamp, executive co-director of the Miss Iowa Pageant, invited Batista to be a judge at the state pageant Oct. 23-24 in Ames.
Houston television station KRIV reported early Thursday that the Astros have agreed to trade right-hander Roy Oswalt to the Philadelphia Phillies and have asked Oswalt to approve the deal.
KRIV sports director Mark Berman reported the club approached Oswalt about waiving his no-trade clause. Oswalt can veto any trade, but he has said he’d do it to play for a contender. The Phillies are on a seven-game winning streak and trail the Braves by 3 1/2 games in the NL East.
Berman’s report does not include whom the Phillies would be giving up, though many media members have speculated left-hander J.A. Happ would be part of any Oswalt trade. Berman also didn’t say whether other clubs are involved; there have been reports a third team was needed to help the Phillies fit Oswalt under their payroll.
Houston general manager Ed Wade declined to comment when contacted late Wednesday by MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart. Oswalt could not be reached for comment, McTaggart reported.
Earlier Wednesday, Astros’ owner Drayton McLane put the odds of an Oswalt trade at 60-40 in favor.
"I’d say it’s about 60 percent that something could be done and 40 percent that Roy will be here next year," McLane told the Houston Chronicle’s Zachary Levine.
Oswalt, who is scheduled to start Friday, said he wanted to have sufficient time to ponder waiving his no-trade rights.
"I’m hoping I’m not going to get it dropped on me an hour before (Saturday’s 4 p.m. ET) deadline to give me a little bit of time to think about it, but I think it will work out," Oswalt told Levine.
General manager Ed Wade said he wouldn’t rush a deal to accommodate Oswalt.
"We’ll use all the time allotted to us," Wade told Levine. "If there’s the right decision to be made sooner rather than later, we’ll make it, otherwise, we’ll use all the time available to try to make the right decisions."
The Chronicle reported the Cardinals, who were once considered the front-runners to land him, were now long shots. The Phillies have long been working to obtain Oswalt, but it was believed a deal may have hit a snag over money. Oswalt is guaranteed more than $25 million over the length of his contract, and he also has a $16 million option for 2012. There have been conflicting reports about whether Oswalt would insist on his new team picking up the option.
Sporting News staff reports
Houston television station KRIV reported early Thursday that the Astros have agreed to trade right-hander Roy Oswalt to the Philadelphia Phillies and have asked Oswalt to approve the deal.
KRIV sports director Mark Berman reported the club approached Oswalt about waiving his no-trade clause. Oswalt can veto any trade, but he has said he’d do it to play for a contender. The Phillies are on a seven-game winning streak and trail the Braves by 3 1/2 games in the NL East.
Berman’s report does not include whom the Phillies would be giving up, though many media members have speculated left-hander J.A. Happ would be part of any Oswalt trade. Berman also didn’t say whether other clubs are involved; there have been reports a third team was needed to help the Phillies fit Oswalt under their payroll.
Houston general manager Ed Wade declined to comment when contacted late Wednesday by MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart. Oswalt could not be reached for comment, McTaggart reported.
Earlier Wednesday, Astros’ owner Drayton McLane put the odds of an Oswalt trade at 60-40 in favor.
"I’d say it’s about 60 percent that something could be done and 40 percent that Roy will be here next year," McLane told the Houston Chronicle’s Zachary Levine.
Oswalt, who is scheduled to start Friday, said he wanted to have sufficient time to ponder waiving his no-trade rights.
"I’m hoping I’m not going to get it dropped on me an hour before (Saturday’s 4 p.m. ET) deadline to give me a little bit of time to think about it, but I think it will work out," Oswalt told Levine.
General manager Ed Wade said he wouldn’t rush a deal to accommodate Oswalt.
"We’ll use all the time allotted to us," Wade told Levine. "If there’s the right decision to be made sooner rather than later, we’ll make it, otherwise, we’ll use all the time available to try to make the right decisions."
The Chronicle reported the Cardinals, who were once considered the front-runners to land him, were now long shots. The Phillies have long been working to obtain Oswalt, but it was believed a deal may have hit a snag over money. Oswalt is guaranteed more than $25 million over the length of his contract, and he also has a $16 million option for 2012. There have been conflicting reports about whether Oswalt would insist on his new team picking up the option.
New University of Southern California running backs coach Kennedy Pola joined Fox Sports Radio with Petros and Money to talk about leaving the Tennessee Titans after being hired only last February, and the subsequent lawsuit the Titans filed against USC.
To listen to the interview, go to Sports Radio Interviews. Responses have been edited for clarity and brevity.
Kennedy Pola said he had to make a tough decision to leave the Titans for USC.
Did Pola know that the Titans would sue Lane Kiffin and USC?
Pola: I think that is above me. I was just an assistant coach doing my thing. I just finished unpacking my last box, moving in… and it all happened Friday afternoon when I got the phone call. From there, I made the decision that was tough — timing was poor — but sometimes, you have to — what do they say? — crack some eggs to make an omelet.
How would he describe his conversation with Titans coach Jeff Fisher?
Pola: Obviously, he was excited for me about the opportunity to come back and help USC, because, you have got to remember, I am not going back to sweet things. We are on a penalty from the NCAA. As a former player and a USC grad, I want the opportunity to come back there and help build and keep this tradition of USC going, because I am very proud of my university. I am not going to run away from it. I am going to try to come back there and do the best that I can to go through this penalty phase. I believe, with the leadership of our new Athletic Director, Pat Haden, I think we will get the job done.
What is it like to be back at USC?
Pola: It is exciting… I will tell you what, [Jeff Fisher] is an outstanding leader of men. I really enjoyed working with him and for him. I learned a lot.
You said that I have "moved around", but some of those moves were unplanned, it just happened…
I believe in continuous improvement. I have been improving as a coach, as a person, and the opportunity to be an offensive coordinator in one of the premier colleges/universities in the country, and then having Pat Haden there as the leader of the university’s athletic department, I couldn’t pass that up.
What was Pola’s relationship with Lane Kiffin like when they worked together as assistants at UCS, and did they ever think they would be in this position?
Pola: No. He went and took his chance. Lane was there as the tight ends coach and I was the special teams coach in our first year with Coach [Pete] Carroll and we were there through the building blocks of a .500 team in the Vegas Bowl, and then we had a nice run with Coach Carroll and Coach [Norm] Chow, with Coach Kiffin, and [Steve] Sarkisian, and Tim Davis. That was a good group, a very good group.
We all ended up somewhere along and moved on, but to have an opportunity to come back to USC and work for Lane, and then have Coach [Ed] Orgeron there, who was with us the first run, it is just special. It is a special place. USC is a special place and I am just blessed and humbled to get an opportunity to come back and help out.
What can people expect from the running backs group this season?
Pola: I want tough guys, mentally, physically. I want them to understand that it is tough having the burden of being a student-athlete at the University of Southern California. That burden, not just on the field, it is off the field, how they represent themselves, and how they represent this university.
There is nobody bigger than the university now, the University of Southern California. If you do the right things on and off the field it is going to benefit you… It is a special place, and to carry that torch is something that is not a burden — it is a benefit that you can’t even explain. You are going to get smart, you are going to have guys that are explosive, good on and off the field, and that is what I expect from them.
New University of Southern California running backs coach Kennedy Pola joined Fox Sports Radio with Petros and Money to talk about leaving the Tennessee Titans after being hired only last February, and the subsequent lawsuit the Titans filed against USC.
To listen to the interview, go to Sports Radio Interviews. Responses have been edited for clarity and brevity.
Kennedy Pola said he had to make a tough decision to leave the Titans for USC.
Did Pola know that the Titans would sue Lane Kiffin and USC?
Pola: I think that is above me. I was just an assistant coach doing my thing. I just finished unpacking my last box, moving in… and it all happened Friday afternoon when I got the phone call. From there, I made the decision that was tough — timing was poor — but sometimes, you have to — what do they say? — crack some eggs to make an omelet.
How would he describe his conversation with Titans coach Jeff Fisher?
Pola: Obviously, he was excited for me about the opportunity to come back and help USC, because, you have got to remember, I am not going back to sweet things. We are on a penalty from the NCAA. As a former player and a USC grad, I want the opportunity to come back there and help build and keep this tradition of USC going, because I am very proud of my university. I am not going to run away from it. I am going to try to come back there and do the best that I can to go through this penalty phase. I believe, with the leadership of our new Athletic Director, Pat Haden, I think we will get the job done.
What is it like to be back at USC?
Pola: It is exciting… I will tell you what, [Jeff Fisher] is an outstanding leader of men. I really enjoyed working with him and for him. I learned a lot.
You said that I have "moved around", but some of those moves were unplanned, it just happened…
I believe in continuous improvement. I have been improving as a coach, as a person, and the opportunity to be an offensive coordinator in one of the premier colleges/universities in the country, and then having Pat Haden there as the leader of the university’s athletic department, I couldn’t pass that up.
What was Pola’s relationship with Lane Kiffin like when they worked together as assistants at UCS, and did they ever think they would be in this position?
Pola: No. He went and took his chance. Lane was there as the tight ends coach and I was the special teams coach in our first year with Coach [Pete] Carroll and we were there through the building blocks of a .500 team in the Vegas Bowl, and then we had a nice run with Coach Carroll and Coach [Norm] Chow, with Coach Kiffin, and [Steve] Sarkisian, and Tim Davis. That was a good group, a very good group.
We all ended up somewhere along and moved on, but to have an opportunity to come back to USC and work for Lane, and then have Coach [Ed] Orgeron there, who was with us the first run, it is just special. It is a special place. USC is a special place and I am just blessed and humbled to get an opportunity to come back and help out.
What can people expect from the running backs group this season?
Pola: I want tough guys, mentally, physically. I want them to understand that it is tough having the burden of being a student-athlete at the University of Southern California. That burden, not just on the field, it is off the field, how they represent themselves, and how they represent this university.
There is nobody bigger than the university now, the University of Southern California. If you do the right things on and off the field it is going to benefit you… It is a special place, and to carry that torch is something that is not a burden — it is a benefit that you can’t even explain. You are going to get smart, you are going to have guys that are explosive, good on and off the field, and that is what I expect from them.
Sporting News Audio is a weekly series of conversations with Sporting News experts during the MLB season. In this installment, Ryan Fagan discusses the four players at the center of this year’s trade season.
Sporting News
Sporting News Audio is a weekly series of conversations with Sporting News experts during the MLB season. In this installment, Ryan Fagan discusses the four players at the center of this year’s trade season.
Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle at the old Yankee Stadium in 1961.
The Roger Maris vs. Mickey Mantle home run race of 1961 placed a lot of focus on statistics and the record books. Almost five decades after that historic season, those who compile baseball’s numbers and records have officially recognized changes to other parts of the M&M Boys’ stat lines from that year.
A researcher discovered 15 years ago that Maris had 141 RBIs, not 142, and that Mantle in fact scored 131 runs instead of 132 (the mistakes were made on separate plays).
Usually, that wouldn’t be a big deal; the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) and other historians/researches have spotted errors over the years.
In this case, however, the ’61 flubs had a direct effect on who led the American League in those respective categories. Now that the corrections have officially been made, Maris no longer is considered the RBI leader (he now is tied with Jim Gentile), but he is considered the new runs leader (he and Mantle had been tied).
Maris, the American League MVP that year, is best known for the then-record 61 home runs he hit. That figure is not in dispute.
Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle at the old Yankee Stadium in 1961.
The Roger Maris vs. Mickey Mantle home run race of 1961 placed a lot of focus on statistics and the record books. Almost five decades after that historic season, those who compile baseball’s numbers and records have officially recognized changes to other parts of the M&M Boys’ stat lines from that year.
A researcher discovered 15 years ago that Maris had 141 RBIs, not 142, and that Mantle in fact scored 131 runs instead of 132 (the mistakes were made on separate plays).
Usually, that wouldn’t be a big deal; the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) and other historians/researches have spotted errors over the years.
In this case, however, the ’61 flubs had a direct effect on who led the American League in those respective categories. Now that the corrections have officially been made, Maris no longer is considered the RBI leader (he now is tied with Jim Gentile), but he is considered the new runs leader (he and Mantle had been tied).
Maris, the American League MVP that year, is best known for the then-record 61 home runs he hit. That figure is not in dispute.
Baseball’s injury list Tuesday looked like something from an NFL Sunday, at least in terms of volume. No fewer than eight players were scratched or had to leave early because of injuires.
Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg led the parade when he experienced stiffness in his pitching shoulder while warming up. Washington took no chances and sat him down in favor of Miguel Batista.
The rest of the notable aches and pains:
Rockies closer Huston Street: Bruised the right side of his abdomen when he was hit by a line drive in batting practice Tuesday. He was sent home to rest and is listed as day to day. Street was taken off the field in an ambulance and transported to an emergency room for further examination.
Rays center fielder B.J. Upton: Left in the first inning with a sprained left ankle and may be out of the lineup for a few days. He was hurt while moving in on Will Rhymes’ one-out single.
Diamondbacks right fielder Justin Upton: Left in the fifth with tightness in his right hip. The Arizona Republic reports Upton hopes to miss just a couple of days.
Phillies center fielder Shane Victorino: Left in the seventh with a left oblique strain. He’ll be examined by a team physician on Wednesday. "I don’t think it’s that bad, but I’ll know more after I take the MRI in the morning," Victorino said.
Yankees catcher Jorge Posada: Scratched minutes before gametime because of a sore left knee. A Yankees spokesman said Posada experienced left knee soreness and was replaced by Francisco Cervelli.
Red Sox right fielder J.D. Drew: Scratched with tightness in his left hamstring just a few minutes before the Red Sox faced the Los Angeles Angels.
Mariners third baseman Jose Lopez: Left in the first with a tight left hamstring after running out an inning-ending double play. The club says Lopez is day to day.
In addition to those injuries, the Mets learned that left fielder Jason Bay has a concussion and will miss some time, and the Royals found out right-hander Gil Meche needs shoulder surgery that likely will end his season.
Material from The Associated Press was used in this report.
Sporting News staff reports
Baseball’s injury list Tuesday looked like something from an NFL Sunday, at least in terms of volume. No fewer than eight players were scratched or had to leave early because of injuires.
Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg led the parade when he experienced stiffness in his pitching shoulder while warming up. Washington took no chances and sat him down in favor of Miguel Batista.
The rest of the notable aches and pains:
Rockies closer Huston Street: Bruised the right side of his abdomen when he was hit by a line drive in batting practice Tuesday. He was sent home to rest and is listed as day to day. Street was taken off the field in an ambulance and transported to an emergency room for further examination.
Rays center fielder B.J. Upton: Left in the first inning with a sprained left ankle and may be out of the lineup for a few days. He was hurt while moving in on Will Rhymes’ one-out single.
Diamondbacks right fielder Justin Upton: Left in the fifth with tightness in his right hip. The Arizona Republic reports Upton hopes to miss just a couple of days.
Phillies center fielder Shane Victorino: Left in the seventh with a left oblique strain. He’ll be examined by a team physician on Wednesday. "I don’t think it’s that bad, but I’ll know more after I take the MRI in the morning," Victorino said.
Yankees catcher Jorge Posada: Scratched minutes before gametime because of a sore left knee. A Yankees spokesman said Posada experienced left knee soreness and was replaced by Francisco Cervelli.
Red Sox right fielder J.D. Drew: Scratched with tightness in his left hamstring just a few minutes before the Red Sox faced the Los Angeles Angels.
Mariners third baseman Jose Lopez: Left in the first with a tight left hamstring after running out an inning-ending double play. The club says Lopez is day to day.
In addition to those injuries, the Mets learned that left fielder Jason Bay has a concussion and will miss some time, and the Royals found out right-hander Gil Meche needs shoulder surgery that likely will end his season.
Material from The Associated Press was used in this report.
Jim Leyland on Tuesday denied spitting on umpire Marty Foster during an argument the night before, going so far as to say Foster lied about the incident.
An angry Jim Leyland points at Marty Foster as umpire Gary Cedestrom tries to keep the two apart. during Monday’s argument
The commissioner’s office is reviewing the incident.
Foster ejected Leyland for arguing Foster’s call on a third-inning stolen base by the Rays’ B.J. Upton. "I had some sunflower seeds in when I was talking," Leyland told reporters prior to the Tigers’ game at Tropicana Field. "Some sprayed on him, and he indicated that I deliberately spit on him, and I’m not going to take that from anybody. I’m not going to do it.
"Did I spray him? Yes. Did I mean to? No. I was talking right close [to him] and what happens a lot of times, happened. I asked him if he was going to write me up. He said, ‘You spit on me.’ I said, ‘You mean to tell me that you’re going to write up that I deliberately spit on you?’ He said, ‘Yes.’ I said, ‘Well that’s a blatant lie.’
"I’m tired of protecting them, worrying about what you should say and what you can’t say. I don’t care that he missed the play. I don’t care that he threw me out. But when you make accusations like that, I’m not going to accept that. That’s a blatant lie. I don’t even spit on the ground."
MLB has not made a decision on whether to suspend Leyland.
Sporting News staff reports
Jim Leyland on Tuesday denied spitting on umpire Marty Foster during an argument the night before, going so far as to say Foster lied about the incident.
An angry Jim Leyland points at Marty Foster as umpire Gary Cedestrom tries to keep the two apart. during Monday’s argument
The commissioner’s office is reviewing the incident.
Foster ejected Leyland for arguing Foster’s call on a third-inning stolen base by the Rays’ B.J. Upton. "I had some sunflower seeds in when I was talking," Leyland told reporters prior to the Tigers’ game at Tropicana Field. "Some sprayed on him, and he indicated that I deliberately spit on him, and I’m not going to take that from anybody. I’m not going to do it.
"Did I spray him? Yes. Did I mean to? No. I was talking right close [to him] and what happens a lot of times, happened. I asked him if he was going to write me up. He said, ‘You spit on me.’ I said, ‘You mean to tell me that you’re going to write up that I deliberately spit on you?’ He said, ‘Yes.’ I said, ‘Well that’s a blatant lie.’
"I’m tired of protecting them, worrying about what you should say and what you can’t say. I don’t care that he missed the play. I don’t care that he threw me out. But when you make accusations like that, I’m not going to accept that. That’s a blatant lie. I don’t even spit on the ground."
MLB has not made a decision on whether to suspend Leyland.
