Make-a-Wish

Two already well-liked Boston athletes-- David Ortiz and Tom Brady-- came off even more likable in separate stories related to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Yaz the Fisherman

There is a nice rhythm to Stan Grossfield's story with Carl Yastrzemski, as the two went fishing together.

Transient Tulane

Steve Kelley looks at Tulane's women's soccer team as it continues to play, far from home.

The forgotten victims

In the wake of the death of Leavander Johnson, Bernard Fernadez has a nice piece on boxers , who are forever agonized by the death of their opponent in the ring.

The Charlie Weis legend grows

I love this Charlie Weis story. Dick Weiss on Charlie Weis.

This is disturbing.

In case you missed it, that Vinatieri guy is pretty good with the game on the line.

Gordon Edes had fun writing this one.

Ian O'Connor tips his hat to Bernie Williams' Yankee career.

ND, Bonds etc.

Blogger has been wreaking a little havoc with this post, but it's close to correct now:

I want to say I'm not sure of the point of Steve Dilbeck's Kirk Gibson column, but I liked it anyway.

Wetzel says Gatorade has been marketed brilliantly, but might not help you as much as you think.

Phil Sheridan says Bonds' breaking Aaron's record would be disasterous for baseball.

Woj on Notre Dame's star-making power.

Mark Kizla accuses fants that boo Barry of racism. I'm not saying America is lacking racism. But I believe if this were Ken Griffey Jr. making the run at the record, you wouldn't hear the boos.

Coles goes public

The topic alone makes this story a must read. Laveranues Coles goes public about being molested as a kid. The writer made a lof references to the music in Coles' iPod. I don't know any of the songs listed so its a little lost on me and I'd imagine quite a bit of the Times' readership. Still its worth the read.

Wise wisdom

Mike Wise has been thinking about the mascot issue for quite some time now.

Don't mess with Moore

The Seattle P-I's Jim Moore rips Grambling for its stunning insensitivity.

Two uplifting stories

Auburn's Alonzo Horton believed his two brothers and maybe his father had died in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina. He was overjoyed to find out they hadn't. The Birmingham News has an account as well.

"It's going to strengthen my relationship with a lot of people," Horton said. "Everybody who I consider my friends and my associates I'm going to strengthen my relationship with because life is too short. You never know what can happen."

Jay Bilas went with college basketball coaches to Kuwait as part of operation Hardwood. I'm looking forward to ESPN Magazine's story on it. But Bilas' account is worthy reading.

ESPN's Gene Wojciecjowski has a good column on the role sports play during tough times.

America's Team?

Nick Cafardo says its the Saints right now. Dan Wetzel agrees.

The legend survives

In the greatest tennis match that I've seen (admittedly a small pool) since Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras' U.S. Open meetings, Agassi came from two sets down to outlast James Blake.



George Vescey captures the battle without a bad guy.

Columnists hunt for perspective

It was a bad week for me to be traveling with an extremely slow lap top that doesn't blog well. I'm sure I missed countess poinant stories connected to the Gulf Coast. I'm sure you've read some of these already, but here goes:

Wilbon says having the games will do some good.

Richard Justice agrees, talking to some displaced New Orleans natives that took advantage of the University of Houston's offer of free tickets to its football game with Oregon.

Whitlock says sports is an escape, but we can't overlook the victims.
"Katrina washed them to our surface, put them in our line of sight, and rather than focus on their tragic circumstance, we’ve escaped by turning the spotlight on looters. Poor women, children and elderly are dying in the streets — lives, in the eyes of God, just as valuable as Natalee Holloway’s and Terri Schiavo’s — and somehow stolen TVs, clothes, food and water are a bigger story, a more important priority."

Carl Dubois says LSU isn't ready to host a football game

Richard Justice has the Astros fearing for the safety of loved ones in New Orleans

The New York Daily News has a look at the role arenas are playing in the recovery efforts.

Wetzel hopes the NFL doesn't bolt New Orleans for good.