Twitter

If anyone still checks this mostly defunct blog, I'm reviving it with twitter - http://twitter.com/GoodSportsReads.

Check it out.

Phil Sheridan

says in China, news is none of your business.

You can have Michael Phelps

I'm rooting for Eric Shanteau

Lopez Lomong

A man who truly represents the American dream will carry the flag at the opening ceremonies.

Jenkins not swept up in the magic

Nobody is better than Sally Jenkins when it comes to attacking an institution that needs attacking. She hammers away at the Olympics.

The LA Times Bill Dwyre wonders if money going to Olympic preparation should be going to Chinese earthquake.

This is my kind of story

There was no chance I wouldn't link to this story. I love road trips, travel stories, ballparks and ballpark food. The New York Times looks at the best and worst of ballpark food in all 30 Major League Stadiums.

From personal experience, I think Citizens Bank Park in Philly is the best overall ballpark food experience I've tried. It truly captures Philly Phood Phare - Cheesesteaks, crab fries etc.

My favorite ballpark food item though is still the Smoked Turkey leg from either Texas or Baltimore.

I'm back

I've always planned to resume blogging here again regularly. But with my work blog taking a fair amount of time, my motivation has been somewhat lessened. Anyway I hope today marks the start of more regular posting here again.

Jon Lester's no-hitter seemed like a good topic to return on.

Joe Posnanski blogs about it.

I thought Paul Kenyon captured the spirit of the night well.

Gordon Edes is always good at uncovering little details that add to a story. His account of Lester's night is no exception.

Lance Armstrong is among Lester's fan.

Non no-hitter reads

I enjoy Curtis Granderson's blog

Bill Simmons' new blog is a reposting of his old blog, from the Boston Sports Guy days. I was a big fan of his in those days. I don't think his fastball has the same zip, but he's clearly still talented when he stays within his comfort zone. But from reading the following, I'm starting to wonder if his ESPN marriage is going to end badly.

I thought it would be fun to post some of my old columns from the "Boston Sports Guy" site (where I wrote columns from May '97 to June '01), if only because none of them have a home on the internet right now. This particular one was written right as I was starting to find a groove and my column was starting to resemble what it's like now, only if nobody was killing five of the best jokes or making me re-write them so they weren't as funny.

Shamila Kohestani,

The New York Times has an excellent article on Shamila Kohestani, a member of the Afghanistan national soccer team, who is in high school in New Jersey.

Shaughnessy

When Dan Shaughnessy isn't trying to be nasty. He's very good.

Couple of Bonds links

National heavyweights weigh in on Bonds breaking the record:

Dan Wetzel
Gene Wojciehowski
Mitch Albom
Scott Ostler
Mike Lupica
Brian Meehan

Armstrong What ifs?

ESPN's Shaun Assael wonders whether Lance Armstrong cheated and if he did whether it is forgivable because of his charity work.

Mike Vaccaro says the public shouldn't convict Michael Vick until a jury does.

I was thinking this morning that if I was Tim Donaghy, I might be afraid for my life. Turns out I'm not the only one.

My browser won't let me open this NY Daily News story on Hank Aaron's bodyguard looking back, so consider this more of an idea than a recommendation. The topic interests me.

Fascinating

In Japan, they believe blood types play a huge role in personality. The Boston Herald discusses it with the Red Sox Japanese players.

Couple of good ones

Sally Jenkins on Barry Bonds chasing Hank Aaron.
This Phil Sheridan column is a little old, but good.

Healing Belfast

ESPN's Tom Friend has an excellent story on basketball as a peace tool in Belfast.

A great series by Jerry Brewer

More and more I feel like Jerry Brewer is emerging as one of the best in the country. He's finding good stories and writing them well.

His current series on an 11-year-old with cancer is powerful. one part is here. Another is here. There's links to the whole series in there.

Thought not to forget

Need a Minneapolis Miller's scene. Probably in spring training with Rogers Hornsby.

Shwoing Ted standing in outfield practicing his swing during the game.

Nice piece on Whiteside

Dan Shaughnessy does a nice job eulogizing former Globe scribe Larry Whiteside, who died yesterday.

Vaccaro on potential hypocrisy

Mike Vaccaro wonders if Mets fans can avoid the hypocrisy or booing Bonds and cheering for Guillermo Mota.

Diamond girls

Scott Cacciola, a good friend and sportswriter for the Memphis Commercial Appeal has a story on the Ole Miss Diamond girls that you can be sure he loved writing.

Gary Shelton takes it seriously

A lot of writers like to write about how domestic violence is bad. And there's value to that. But Gary Shelton really looked at the topic in connection to Elijah Dukes and wrote an excellent column.

USA Today on Jon Lester

USA Today has a good article on Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester's continued comeback from cancer.

Interested in supporting the Lester Project, which raises money for the Jimmy Fund and cancer research? Click here. You can buy one of the above bracelets.

Good column by Jerry Brewer

Jerry Brewer is concerned we've become too numb to athletes and domestic violence.

Vaccaro on Hughes

The New York Post's Mike Vaccaro does a nice job capturing the excitement then disappointment of Phil Hughes' night.

Three years

Three years ago today I started this blog. I wasn't sure what it was going to be then but I decided I was going to be a blogger. I'd figure out that that meant later.

Anyway the posting here has slowed as my Daily Hampshire Gazette blog has gained momentum. Still I like this one and plan on continuing it for the forseeable future. So here's today's three-year anniversary links.

Sports Illustrated.com looks at Bobby Valentine's celebrity in Japan

The beginning scene in this New Yorker story on Virginia Tech is moving and painful.

Mike Vaccaro says Derek Jeter should take some responsibility.

Bill Plaschke wonders what happened to the ball from Kirk Gibson's home run.

Wetzel on the Patriots.

A sad for journalism

David Halberstam was killed in a car crash today.

Plaschke

To nobody's surprise, Plaschke is brilliant.

An underdog and a virtuoso

Ian O'Connor did an amazing job getting back story on Zach Johnson .

Meanwhile this isn't a sports story but its an interesting read. The Washington Post convicned Joshua Bell, a violin virtuoso to play in a D.C. Metro Station appearing to be a street musician.

Dice-Blogging

In start No. 1, Daisuke Matsuzaka justified the hype.
Dan Shaughnessy, not the easiest of critics, came away impressed.
So was Mike Vaccaro, and David Ortiz.
Tony Massaroti said Matsuzaka starts will be events now, while Michael Silverman said Matsuzaka lived up to the hype.
ESPN looks a the spectacle, while the Boston Herald looks at the media.
Fans got up early in Japan.