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Dallas and San Francisco Meet Again While Looking for Answers

Posted on October 27, 2024 by Chris Kent
The Dallas Cowboys Star Logo is an iconic symbol of America’s Team.

A game between the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers is usually mammoth with both teams battling for supremacy in the National Football Confence if not the entire NFL. This storied rivalry has stood the test of time and is etched in football lore. There have been iconic games with signature moments like, “The Catch” in the 1981 NFC Championship Game at Candlestick Park. Joe Montana’s game-winning touchdown pass to Dwight Clark inside of the final minute gave the 49ers a 28-27 win and launched them as the team of the 1980’s. How about Troy Aikman’s clutch slant pass to Alvin Harper with a little more than four minutes left to play in the 1992 NFC Championship Game at Candlestick Park. Harper turned it into a 71-yard catch-and-run which silenced the home crowd and took back the momentum after San Francisco had seized it with a touchdown to pull within 24-20. Dallas turned Harper’s big play into a touchdown to seal a 30-20 victory that sent them onto win their first of back-to-back Super Bowls in the 1990’s. Then there was a frantic end of game fury in the 2001 NFC Wild Card game where Dak Prescott and the offense had to hurry down the field to try and get one last play off only to have the clock expire in a 49ers 23-17 victory. The two franchises have played several big regular season games as well but these postseason theatrics over decades has made this rivalry what it has been and still is today.

The San Francisco 49ers are an iconic NFL Franchise.

The two franchises have met in six NFC Championship games with the Cowboys winning four of them. Each winner from those matchups went on to win that season’s Super Bowl except for the 1970 Dallas team which lost to Baltimore 16-13 in Super Bowl V. They have met nine times in the playoffs overall with the Cowboys holding a 5-4 edge. The all time series is nearly a draw with San Francisco holding a narrow 20-19-1 advantage.

Joe Montana is a legend of the 49ers.

Names like Dick Nolan, John Brodie, Gene Washington, Bruce Taylor, and Rosevelt Taylor were key to the 49ers in the 1970’s. The franchises met three straight years in the playoffs in the 1970’s including a pair of NFC Championship games, both won by Dallas. Names like Roger Staubach, Duane Thomas, Tony Dorsett, Drew Pearson, Tony Hill, Bob Lilly, Jethro Pugh, Lee Roy Jordan, Cliff Harris, Charlie Waters, Randy White, Harvey Martin, and Ed “Too Tall” Jones were the core of the Cowboys in the 1970’s when they became known as “America’s Team”. As the 1980’s came along, Joe Montana, Roger Craig, Dwight Clark, Jerry Rice, John Taylor, Tom Rathman, Ronnie Lott, Eric Wright, Dwaine Board, Jack Reynolds, Randy Cross, and Keith Fahnhorst were mainstays for San Francisco which won four Super Bowls in the 1980’s.

Troy Aikman led Dallas to two wins over San Francisco in NFC Championship Games.

As the 1990’s started, a young cast of players emerged for Dallas led by Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin, and Emmitt Smith who were collectively known as “The Triplets.” Complemeting them were speedy and talented players like Darren Woodson, Mark Stepnoski, Jay Novacek, Kelvin Martin, Eric Williams, Kevin Smith, Charles Haley, Thomas Everrett, Ken Norton Jr., Russell Maryland, Larry Brown, Dixon Edwards, Darrin Smith, Robert Jones, Tony Tolbert, and Daryl “Moose” Johnston. The 49ers carried much of their success of the 80’s into the 90’s as players like Montana, Rice, Lott, Wright, and Cross remained to go along with Steve Young, Ricky Watters, Lee Woodall, and Bryant Young.

Kyle Shanahan has led the 49ers to four NFC Championship Games.

While the two franchises went through a dry spell of no playoff encounters between the 1995 and 2020 seasons, they have met in two of the last three postseasons. San Francisco won in the NFC Wild Card game in 2021 and again in the NFC Divisional playoffs in 2022. The 49ers have won the last three meetings overall including a dominant 42-10 victory on Sunday Night Football a year ago on Oct. 8. The Cowboys last beat San Francisco 41-33 at home on Dec. 20, 2020.

Yet for all this history, the two current teams find themselves searching for who they really are as they get ready to play in primtime on NBC’s Sunday Night Football this Sunday, Oct. 27. They will enter Sunday night’s tilt with a 6-7 combined record with Dallas 3-3 and the 49ers 3-4, not exactly playoff worthy at this point in the season. Both teams are coming off losses at home and are trying to regain their footing. There is no Brodie, Montana, Young, Clark, Rice, or Lott to be seen in San Francisco. Likewise, there is no Staubach, Pearson, Dorsett, Lilly, White, Aikman, Irvin, Smith, or Haley suiting up for the Cowboys. There is no Dick Nolan, Bill Walsh, Tom Landry, or Jimmy Johnson strolling the sidelines as the head coach.

Mike McCarthy has guided Dallas to three straight 12-win seasons.

Instead we have Kyle Shanahan leading the 49ers and Mike McCarthy the head man in Dallas. The two are no strangers to success as McCarthy won a Super Bowl in Green Bay and Shanahan has reached two, both losses to Kansas City. More importantly, Shanahan, along with general manager John Lynch, has stabilized San Francisco’s franchise. Since being hired in 2017, Shanahan has coached the 49ers to four NFC Championship games including each of the last three.

As for the players, Cowboys’ quarterback Dak Prescott has publicly admitted he needs to play better. His passer rating currently stands at 85.4, about 20 percentage points down from a year ago when he was a candidate for the NFL’s most valuable player. Through six games, Prescott has thrown only eight touchdowns while tossing six interceptions. He threw only nine picks all of last season and with Dallas struggling to show any running game, that does not bode well for the offense. With a below average running game, defenses are scheming up against the Cowboys to shut down their passing attack. Third and longs have resulted and Dallas is not sustaining drives as blitzes have shut them down. The teams lone threat, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, is a shell of himself after a breakoout season a year ago in which he surpassed Irvin’s single season franchise records for catches and receiving yards.

Dak Prescott is just 2-3 against San Francisco in his career.

Lamb’s contract holdout caused him to miss training camp and Prescott’s contract negotiations lingered on for too long. Those two offseason issues disrupted the chemistry between Prescott and Lamb and the results are evident with their timing being off leading to errant passes and turnovers. Rico Dowdle is the team’s best option at running back but he does not impact games very much. Dowdle has totaled only 59 carries for 246 yards thus far to lead the Cowboys. Dallas will need to be more productive running the ball if they are to stack together some wins this season and reach the playoffs. Prescott needs better support around him and the Cowboys can’t expect to win with him throwing the ball 50 or more times a game. Tight end Jake Ferguson needs to find his groove. After a solid year last year, Ferguson has yet to score a touchdown this year and has only 25 catches for 240 yards through six games.

As inconsistent as their offense is, the bigger problems for Dallas lie on defense where they have been raveged by injuries. Star pass rushers DeMarcus Lawrence and Micah Parsons both went down in the win at the Giants on Sept. 26 and have not played since. Lawrence is on injured reserve with a Lis Frank injury to his foot and likely won’t return until mid November. Pasons suffered an ankle injury in the loss at the Giants. Cornerback Daron Bland has been out all season with a stress fracture and pass rusher Sam Williams was lost for the season with a torn ACL he suffered in the preseason. Promising rookies Marshawn Kneeland at defensive end and Caelon Carson at cornerback have also missed the last couple games with injuries. Kneeland might return in November after he recovers from meniscus surgery and Carson missed the last game with a shoulder injury. Linebacker Eric Kendricks missed the Cowboys 47-9 home loss to the Lions on Oct. 13 with a shoulder injury and is questionable along with Carson to play Sunday night according to the teams latest injury reports. The latest injury report also has both Parsons and Bland out along with defensive tackle Jordan Phillips with a wrist injury. Furthermore, Dallas has been hurt by turnovers this season as they have a minus six turnover ratio.

Brock Purdy is looking for his third straight win over Dallas.

San Francisco is also dealing with injuries to some of its stars. They wll be without running back Christain McCaffrey who is recovering from tendonitis in his achilles as well as wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk who was lost for the season after he suffered tears to his ACL and MCL in his knee in last Sunday’s home loss to the Chiefs. All purpose threat Deebo Samuel, tight end George Kittle, and defensive back Deommodore Lenoir are also all questionable to play on Sunday due to illnesses or injury according to the team’s latest injury report. Also out for the 49ers is linebacker Dre Greenlaw who has not seen the field this season after suffering a torn achilles tendon in the Super Bowl loss to the Chiefs back in February. Wide receiver Jauan Jennings will also miss his second straight game with a hip injury according to the teams practice report which further hurts San Francisco’s passing game.

Jordan Mason has filled in nicely for the injured Christian McCaffrey.

Jordan Mason has done a better than average job in place of the injured McCaffrey. Mason has rushed for 667 yards and three touchdowns this season and has an impressive 5.2 yards per carry. Although he suffered an AC joint sprain in week six against Seattle, he is expected to play against the Cowboys on Sunday.

Since many star players from both sides will be missing from this game, some of the glamour and sizzle is missing as well. It is still an important game and one that both franchises and fan bases get up for. This time around though, the two teams will be battling for survival in the race for the NFC playoffs. While the loser will not be out of the race, they will be far more challenged to get there.

Prescott is 2-3 in his career against the 49ers with both wins coming in San Francisco. While he has lost his last three starts against the 49ers – two in the playoffs – he will be out to proove he can lead Dallas to victory when their backs are against the wall. This game could still have an impact on the NFC playoff picture for both teams, especially with seeding. That is always important because seeding determines where, when, and in what round in the playoffs that teams would meet.

Rico Dowdle is the primary running back for Dallas.

Getting off to a good start will be vital for the Cowboys. Although they managed to rally against a very good Baltimore defense in an eventual 28-25 home loss in week three this season, Dallas has struggled when they have fallen behind this year. Despite not having a feature back, the Cowboys will need to establish some rushing offense to soften up an aggressive San Francisco defense featuring all pros in Nick Bosa and Fred Warner in the front seven. Dowdle is the main runner for Dallas followed by ninth-year veteran Ezekiel Elliott who is on his second tour of duty for the Cowboys after being signed to a one-year deal in the offseason. Elliott’s best days are behind him but his value still lies in blitz protection, short yardage, and goal line situations. Dallas can still benefit from all that and they will take anything positive they can get from Elliott. Additional running plays will need to be added through McCarthy calling pitch plays, reverses, and jet sweeps by using punt and kick returning ace Kavontae Turpin. Look for Turpin to play a big role in this game both as a receiver and runner. When it is time to throw, Prescott will have to do a better job of spreading the ball around to others besides Lamb. Ferguson, Turpin, and Jalen Tolbert have got to make some plays in this game along with second-year tight end Luke Schoonmaker. Fullback Hunter Luepke can be a viable option out of the backfield as well.

On defense, the Cowboys will need their backups and young players to step up and not allow San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy to find his rhythm. Starting defensive tackles Osa Odighizuwa and Mazi Smith will have to plug the middle and get some pressure on Purdy along with reserve defensive lineman Chauncey Golston, Carl Lawson, and Linval Joseph.

Dallas is 3-0 on the road so far this season which bodes well for this game. The 49ers have not been on top of their game at home this season where two of their four losses have come. If the Cowboys can stop the run and prevent Purdy from connecting on big plays, Dallas could very well win this game. With many star players missing from this game it could come down to more basic and ordinary tasks like blitz pickup, assignment football, and tackling technique. In the end, a secondary player or backup could emerge as a difference maker by making a critical play at a critical time in this game to determine the winner. Should the game turn out like that, it would be just what this longstanding rivalry called for even with each team having a subpar season so far.

Fernando Valenzuela: A Legendary Career that Transcended Baseball

Posted on October 23, 2024 by Dean Hybl
Fernando Valenzuela was the National League Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year winner during the 1981 season as he kicked off “Fernandomania”.

The world of baseball mourns the loss of Fernando Valenzuela, one of the sport’s most iconic figures, who passed away on October 22, 2024 at the age of 63. Valenzuela’s impact on baseball extended far beyond the pitcher’s mound, as he became a symbol of hope, pride, and cultural unity for millions. His unique pitching style, calm demeanor, and ability to deliver in big moments made him a fan favorite and a beloved figure in the Los Angeles community. Valenzuela’s career is one that epitomized greatness and resilience, as he rose from humble beginnings in Mexico to become one of Major League Baseball’s most unforgettable stars.

Early Life and Rise to Stardom

Fernando Valenzuela was born on November 1, 1960, in Etchohuaquila, a small village in the Mexican state of Sonora. Growing up in a family of farmers, Valenzuela’s love for baseball was evident from a young age. He played for local teams and developed a remarkable ability to throw a screwball, a pitch that would later become his signature weapon.

In 1979, at the age of 18, Valenzuela signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers and quickly made a name for himself in the minors. His dominance in the Mexican League and his performances with the Dodgers’ minor league affiliates caught the attention of team executives, and he was called up to the Major Leagues in late 1980.

Valenzuela’s arrival in Major League Baseball came at a critical time for the Dodgers, who were in need of a spark to propel them toward postseason success. Although he made only a handful of appearances late in the 1980 season, he was on the brink of something special.

The Birth of “Fernandomania”

Valenzuela’s official rookie season in 1981 would go down in baseball history as one of the most captivating and unprecedented stretches of performance by any player. In what came to be known as “Fernandomania,” Valenzuela captured the hearts of fans across the nation with his dazzling performances on the mound, his charismatic personality, and his unique pitching delivery, which involved looking toward the sky just before releasing the ball.

The 1981 season began with Valenzuela thrust into the starting rotation after an injury to Dodgers ace Jerry Reuss. In his very first start on Opening Day, Valenzuela threw a complete-game shutout against the Houston Astros. This was just the beginning of an incredible run: Valenzuela started his rookie season by winning his first eight starts, all complete games, with an astonishing five shutouts. His dominant pitching combined with his humble demeanor created a media frenzy, and fans flocked to stadiums to watch him pitch. “Fernandomania” spread like wildfire, not just in Los Angeles but throughout the country and especially in Latin America, where Valenzuela became a source of immense pride.

Valenzuela’s impact on the field was undeniable. He finished the strike shortened 1981 season with a 13-7 record, a 2.48 ERA, and 180 strikeouts, earning both the National League Rookie of the Year and Cy Young Award—an unprecedented feat. He was also instrumental in leading the Dodgers to the World Series title in 1981, where they defeated the New York Yankees in six games. Valenzuela’s performance in the postseason, including a critical complete-game victory in Game 3 of the World Series, further cemented his status as a star.

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2024 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf: Top 5 Contenders To Watch For

Posted on October 10, 2024 by John Harris

The 2024 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf is shaping to be one of the most anticipated races of the season, showcasing the finest female turf runners from around the world. Known for its thrilling competition and display of elite talent, this prestigious race highlights endurance, strategy, and heart.

With a prize purse of $2 million that attracts the best of the best, fans and bettors alike are eager to see which contenders will rise to the challenge. In this article, we’ll highlight the top five horses to watch in the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf. Each of these contenders have the potential to leave a lasting mark on this year’s Breeders’ Cup.

Moira

Moira, the 2022 Canadian Horse of the Year, showcased her tenacity by defeating the 2023 Horse of the Year Fev Rover (IRE) in the Beverly D. Stakes (G2) at Colonial Down, earning a spot in the Breeders Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1).

She acquired the spot through the “Win and You’re In” series. The 5-year-old daughter of Ghostzapper, who previously finished strongly in the 2022 and 2023 Filly & Mare Turf races, continues to excel. Despite being sold as a broodmare for $3 million, Moira remains under trainer Kevin Attard, reaffirming her talent with a runner-up finish in the Diana Stakes (G1).

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Who’s Next? South Carolina’s Top 5 Recruits Ready for the Spotlight

Posted on October 10, 2024 by John Harris
William Brice Stadium at the University of South Carolina

The 2024 recruiting class for South Carolina football is shaping up to be one of the most promising in recent memory. Packed with talented players, including several 5-star and 4-star recruits, this group has Gamecock fans eager to see what the future holds. Head coach Shane Beamer and his staff are confident that some of these freshmen will immediately impact the field.

Let’s look at five top recruits ready to enter the spotlight and help elevate the Gamecocks in the upcoming season.

Mazeo Bennett – Wide Receiver Already Making Waves

Mazeo Bennett, a wide receiver from Greenville High School, has been one of the most exciting players to watch in the early 2024 season. His talent was clear from the start, and Bennett wasted no time showing what he could do. In just four games, he has already established himself as a critical weapon in South Carolina’s offense.

Bennett’s performance against Akron was awe-inspiring. He recorded five catches for 71 yards and scored a touchdown, setting new career highs in both receptions and yardage. According to Pro Football Focus, his ability to make big plays has drawn attention nationwide, earning him the distinction of being the highest-rated freshman wide receiver.

His consistency and ability to step up in crucial moments set Bennett apart. Leading the team in receiving yardage, he is also second in yards from scrimmage, making him a standout in South Carolina’s offense. Given Bennett’s impressive start, the South Carolina Gamecocks Odds of success this season continue to improve.

He looks poised to join the ranks of legendary Gamecock first-year students who recorded 600 or more receiving yards. As the season progresses, Bennett’s role is only expected to grow.

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Remembering the Legendary Career of Luis Tiant

Posted on October 08, 2024 by John Harris
Luis Tiant played for six teams in his MLB career, but is best known for his time with the Boston Red Sox.

The baseball world lost one of its most charismatic and skilled pitchers on October 8, 2024, when Luis Tiant passed away at the age of 83. Known for his unorthodox delivery, fierce competitive spirit, and ability to excel in high-pressure situations, Tiant was a beloved figure both on and off the field. His career spanned from the mid-1960s to the early 1980s, with stints on teams like the Cleveland Indians, Minnesota Twins, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, and others. However, it was with the Boston Red Sox that Tiant made his most lasting impact, becoming a fan favorite and a symbol of perseverance.

From his early days in Cuba to his rise as one of the most dominant pitchers of his era, Tiant’s journey through the baseball world is a story of talent, resilience, and a never-give-up attitude. This article will look back on the remarkable career of Luis Tiant, highlighting his most significant achievements, his unique style, and the legacy he leaves behind.

Early Life and Journey to the Major Leagues

Luis Clemente Tiant was born on November 23, 1940, in Marianao, Cuba, into a baseball family. His father, Luis Tiant Sr., had been a star pitcher in the Negro Leagues, known for his grace and dominance on the mound. Young Luis followed in his father’s footsteps, showing a natural talent for pitching from an early age. He played in various Cuban leagues before catching the attention of Major League scouts, and in 1961, he signed with the Cleveland Indians organization.

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The 1914 World Series: The Miracle Braves and the First Sweep

Posted on October 03, 2024 by Dean Hybl

The 1914 World Series is often remembered for its incredible underdog story and the dominance of the Boston Braves, who completed the first-ever sweep in World Series history. The series pitted the Boston Braves, also known as the “Miracle Braves,” against the heavily favored Philadelphia Athletics, a powerhouse team led by legendary manager Connie Mack. The Braves’ victory was a defining moment in baseball history, proving that even the most unlikely teams could rise to the occasion on the sport’s biggest stage.

The underdog Boston Braves shocked the baseball world by sweeping the favored Philadelphia Athletics in four games to win the 1914 World Series.

The Teams: A Contrast in Expectations

Heading into the 1914 World Series, the Philadelphia Athletics were the dominant force in baseball. Managed by Connie Mack, the Athletics had won the American League (AL) pennant by a comfortable margin, finishing the season with a 99-53 record. They were a team stacked with talent, boasting Hall of Fame players like pitcher Chief Bender, third baseman Frank “Home Run” Baker, and second baseman Eddie Collins. The Athletics were looking for their fourth World Series title in five years, having won in 1910, 1911, and 1913. Their wealth of experience and superior roster made them the heavy favorites.

In stark contrast, the Boston Braves were the epitome of an underdog. At the start of the 1914 season, the Braves were not considered contenders in the National League (NL). They had finished in fifth place the previous year and were languishing in last place as late as July 4, 1914. However, the team mounted an incredible comeback under the leadership of manager George Stallings. By the end of the regular season, the Braves had surged to the top of the National League, finishing with a record of 94-59 and winning the pennant by 10.5 games. Their remarkable rise earned them the nickname “Miracle Braves,” as they became the first team in MLB history to go from last place in July to first place by the end of the season.

Despite the Braves’ amazing turnaround, most observers still considered the Athletics to be the superior team, and few expected the Braves to put up much of a fight in the World Series.

Game 1: A Surprise Opening

The 1914 World Series began on October 9 at Shibe Park in Philadelphia, home of the Athletics. Boston’s ace, Dick Rudolph, took the mound against Chief Bender, one of the most dominant pitchers of the era. Rudolph had been a key figure in the Braves’ late-season surge, and he carried that momentum into Game 1, holding the powerful Athletics lineup in check.

The Braves stunned the Athletics with a 7-1 victory, with Rudolph pitching a complete game and limiting Philadelphia to just five hits and one unearned run. Boston’s offense, led by Hank Gowdy, came alive, and the Braves’ combination of solid pitching and timely hitting gave them an unexpected win. Gowdy, the Braves’ catcher, set the tone with three hits, including a double and a triple, while the Athletics’ vaunted lineup scored only an unearned run in the second inning.

Game 1 sent shockwaves through the baseball world, as the Braves had not only beaten the heavily favored Athletics but done so convincingly.

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  • Vintage Athlete of the Month

    • Mickey Lolich: 1968 World Series Hero
      October 2, 2024 | 3:00 pm
      Mickey Lolich

      The Sports Then and Now Vintage Athlete of the Month is one of the most celebrated pitchers in Detroit Tigers history and will forever be remembered for his heroic performance in the 1968 World Series.

      Mickey Lolich is remembered for his durability, resilience, and ability to deliver in clutch situations. Known for his powerful left arm and an almost superhuman capacity to pitch complete games, Lolich etched his name in baseball history with his stellar performance in the 1968 World Series, leading the Tigers to a championship. His career, spanning from 1963 to 1979, was defined by consistency, longevity, and an unyielding competitive spirit. Lolich may not have the same level of fame as some of his contemporaries, but his achievements on the mound have earned him a lasting legacy in the annals of Major League Baseball.

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