On this day, 100 years after the birth of the United States of America, baseball’s National League was formed.

The North and South were at war and organized baseball was just getting started.

It consisted of eight teams: Boston Red Stockings, Chicago White Stockings, Cincinnati Red Legs, Hartford Dark Blues, Louisville Grays, Philadelphia Athletics, Brooklyn Mutuals and St. Louis Browns.

Owners agreed to play a 70-game season between the months of April and October.

Chicago’s Ross Barnes lead the league in many offensive categories including his league-leading .429 batting average and 126 runs scored.

Powerhouse Philly Athletic George Hall was the big power hitter, finishing the season with a league-high five homeruns.

The Chicago White Stockings made it clear they were the team to beat in 1876, finishing 52-14 and winning the first ever National League pennant.

Shown above is a team photo of the 1876 National League champion Chicago White Stockings baseball team.

By Michael Battaglia

On this day in 1920, the Quick Boys soccer club was formed in Katwijk, the Netherlands. They are the second most-winningest amateur football club in the Netherlands.

Originating as a Sunday league team, the Quick Boys were forced to move to Saturdays due to a ban on entry charges.

The team is currently captained by defenseman Robert-Jan Ravensbergen.

Since 1970, no Netherlands amateur soccer club has done better than the Quick Boys. Yes, they are still a team today.

Article by Michael Battaglia

All it took was one terrible, over-the-shoulder, across-body, into-traffic, last-second-of-regulation pass by Brett Farve to end the Minnesota Vikings chances at making it to the Super Bowl this year.

At the same time, it gave the New Orleans Saints a chance to participate in their first.

Bourbon Street was packed and full of life Sunday night as fans celebrated and flooded the streets with black and gold.

It was a miracle, “pigs have flown, hell has frozen over and the Saints are going to the Super Bowl,” as summed up on WWL-AM, New Orleans.

It’s true, the city of New Orleans has seen Super Bowls in the past but the city has never seen its own team play in one.

While the city of New Orleans rejoices in their fresh NFC Championship attire and Super Bowl gear, some citizens and football fans may have forgotten one miniscule detail–they have to play the Indianapolis Colts in a few weeks in order to get a ring.

The Colts have proven themselves the most balanced team in the NFL and could have gone undefeated if head coach Jim Caldwell hadn’t rested his starters against the New York Jets during the regular season match up.

The 1972 Miami Dolphins, the only team to ever go undefeated for an entire season including a Super Bowl victory, can once again rest assured–their precious record is ok. Wipe that brow, Mercury Morris.

Despite having an early lead in Sunday’s AFC Championship loss to the Colts, the Jets were overmatched on both sides of the ball. The Jets defense was unable to stop Peyton Manning and his receiver core. Their rookie quarterback, Mark Sanchez and rookie head coach, Rex Ryan showed tons of promise. With those two and Darrelle Revis, the single best all-around defensive player in football, Jets fans have a lot to look forward to in the future.

The future, however, is now for the Colts. They’ve made it to their second Super Bowl in four years and will go into the game with a full head of steam, looking to exploit the Saints’ pass defense and shut down their running game.

With Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney coming off the ends for the Colts, Saints quarterback Drew Brees will be hurried on nearly every pass attempt. He will have to leave the pocket or be forced to make quick throws.

Colts linebacker Gary Brackett, safety Melvin Bullitt and company will have to shut down Pierre Thomas, Reggie Bush and Mike Bell (if we see him) so the Colts offense can get the ball back. Time of possession will be a key to victory.

I admit I was wearing my Marques Colston Saints jersey Sunday and yet still secretly wanted to see Favre and the Vikings come out victorious so football fans can see two true legends face off in the Super Bowl in Brett Favre and Peyton Manning.

It wouldn’t be so bad to see Dem Saints win their first Super Bowl. New Orleans could use something big to celebrate and lift the city up a little bit, and what bigger than a Super Bowl ring?

I just don’t forsee it happening, not with Manning and the Colts on the other side of the football.

Colts receiver Pierre Garcon twists and turns as he catches a deep pass from Peyton Manning over Jets cornerback Lito Sheppard, who was in the game for the first time during this play.
Photo Credit: John G. Mabanglo / EPA

Boy, was I close.

…And I don’t even get a vote.

Story from ESPN, Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

Voting for The Associated Press defensive rookie of the year award, as voted on by a nationwide panel of media members:

NEW YORK — Brian Cushing has become the second Houston Texans linebacker in four seasons to win The Associated Press NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award.

The tackling machine from USC, drafted 15th overall last April, is a runaway winner in balloting by a nationwide panel of 50 sportswriters and broadcasters who cover the league. Cushing received 39 votes, easily beating Buffalo safety Jairus Byrd, who had six.

Texans linebacker DeMeco Ryans won the award in 2006.

Cushing is the seventh straight linebacker voted top defensive rookie and the ninth in 10 years.

Ryans (L) and Cushing (R), both Defensive Rookies of the Year, get ready to pound some Bengals after a Cushing interception.
Photo Credit: SBNation.com

Article by Michael Battaglia

Dodgers fans have something new to cheer about in Los Angeles as the signing of platoon-infielder Jamey Carroll to a 2 year, $3.85 million deal was completed last week.

Worried about the Phillies and their monumental deal which brought Roy Halladay to Philadelphia, Dodgers’ management got the deal done to bring free-agent Carroll from Cleveland to Los Angeles, clearly upgrading the team on various levels.

With the McCourt divorce the lead story of the Dodgers offseason, many Dodger fans were skeptical as to whether or not the team would be able to put that aside and make the right offseason moves to get the team to the World Series.

Clearly, the answer is yes.

Quick Profile

Jamey Carroll  5’9″  170lbs.  Age: 35   Born: Evansville, IN     

Carroll can play multiple positions including second and third base. This will be helpful in not only giving Casey Blake days off but also lowering the team’s batting average.

He can also play shortstop and outfield, which gives the Dodgers little-to-no reason for having any other bench players, potentially freeing up salary space for the signing of another superstar free agent like Felipe Lopez.

Chin-Lung Hu has a shot at being the backup shortstop, but the Dodgers invited Angel Berroa, who spent last season with both the Yankees and Mets, to spring traning. Berroa’s best season was in 2003 when he won the AL Rookie of the Year award and truly hasn’t had any other season come anywhere near the amount of production he put up in ’03.

Utilityman Carroll started his career in 2002 and has had stops in Montreal, Washington, Colorado and Cleveland before landing in Los Angeles.

In 2006 while playing for the Rockies, Carroll hit a career-high 5 homeruns and 36 RBI’s.

The Indians will be forced to move on without their premiere position player.

Blake DeWitt, assumed Dodgers starting second baseman, will now likely be forced to split time with Carroll, who, when playing second base, will give the Dodgers a “James-and-Jamey connection” on the right side of the infield with Carroll and first baseman James Loney, a connection the Dodgers have not had on that part of the infield in at least 37 years.

As the season winds down it becomes easier to determine the top rookies in the league.

Here’s a list of 10 guys who have a shot at the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year award.

10.

Aaron Curry Seattle Seahawks #59 OLB

At 6’2″, 250+ pounds, strength and speed, Curry has the Seahawks excited about the future. He may not have a realistic chance at this year’s ROY award, but with 56 tackles, 2 intercepts and 2 forced fumbles through week 13 he has proven that he can play on the NFL level.

9.

Derek Cox Jacksonville Jaguars #21 CB

Cox, just like Curry, has 56 tackles and 2 interceptions through week 13 . The 6’1″, 190-pounder has great speed and field vision. Cox is consistent. Of his 56 tackles so far, 28 have come in the first half and 28 during the second half of games. The Jaguars will need to continue drafting more consistent players like Cox if they want to make an impact late in the season.

8.

Jacob Lacey Indianapolis Colts #27 CB

Lacey is just 5’10″ and 177 pounds but has recorded 60 tackles and 2 interceptions through week 13–one interception was returned 45 yards for a touchdown. He has played in all 12 games for the Colts this year and has been just as good, if not better on the road than at home. The 22-year-old has stepped up his defensive play in the absence of Bob Sanders and has given the Colts more depth at CB.

7.

Vontae Davis Miami Dolphins #21 CB

Davis has 3 interceptions, one touchdown and 38 tackles through week 13. He hasn’t missed a game for the Dolphins and quarterbacks are becoming less reluctant to throw his direction. He’s got blazing speed and will provide the Dolphins with a DB presence for years to come.

6.

Louis Delmas Detroit Lions #26 FS

Through 13 weeks Delmas has 72 tackles, 1 interception and 1 sack. The 5″11, 202-pound 22-year-old is all over the field for the Lions and has recorded 1 safety. He’s got 36 tackles at home and 36 on the road. Delmas is smart, quick and gives the Lions some upside on defense.

5.

James Laurinaitis St. Louis Rams #55 MLB

Laurinaitis plays on a losing team but has been an outstanding player and probably the most effective player on that defense this year. He’s got 97 tackles, a sack and 2 interceptions through 13 weeks and hasn’t missed a game for the Rams. The former Buckeye standout brings everything he’s got to every game.

4.

Clay Matthews Green Bay Packers #52 OLB

Born and raised in Los Angeles and a former USC Trojan, Matthews has stepped into the freezing Lambeau temperatures and hasn’t disappointed one bit. Matthews only has 35 tackes but has recorded 7 sacks for the Packers through week 13. He’ll be a force with A.J. Hawk in that Green Bay secondary. He isn’t the best rookie linebacker this year and isn’t even the best USC rookie linebacker this year but still nearly tops the charts with his 7 sacks.

3.

Brian Orakpo Washington Redskins #98 OLB

There is no telling what this kid will do in the future. The Texas born-and-raised Longhorn brought his “A” game with him to D.C. Nearly a lineman in size, the 6’3″ 260-pound backer plays in the secondary because he can move and has excellent field vision. Orakpo has proven that he can keep his eyes on the QB in having recorded 7 sacks and 40 tackles though week 13.

2.

Jarius Byrd Buffalo Bills #31 FS

The former Oregon Duck has 8 interceptions for 100 yards through week 13 to lead all rookies. He also has 41 tackles. Byrd flies all over the field and, despite being a California native, seems to have no problem playing in the cold. He even seems to play better in Buffalo than on the road. Byrd has enormous upside and if you haven’t heard of him yet, familiarize yourself.

1.

Brian Cushing Houston Texans #56 OLB

Cushing is an absolute beast and my pick to win the 2010 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award. Through week 13 Cushing’s piled up 102 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, a safety and 3 interceptions. The 6’3″, 260-pound 22-year-old is all over the field in every game the Texans play. The former USC Trojan standout, Cushing has made his presence felt throughout the league. Opposing teams are becoming more and more aware of Cushing, whose speed, strength, quickness and field vision has proven that he is the top defensive rookie of the 2009 draft class.

Headshot photos courtesy of: NFL.com

It became difficult to remember that a game was still being played toward the end of the fourth quarter of Sunday night’s prime time NFC match up between the first-place Arizona Cardinals and the first-place Minnesota Vikings.

With the host Cardinals up 17 points on the Vikings and just under seven minutes in regulation, Vikings star middle linebacker E.J. Henderson attempted to make a wild tackle on Cardinals running back Tim Hightower when Henderson rolled awkwardly and took a hard fall.

Quick Profile

E.J. Henderson 6’1″ 245 lbs. Age: 29 Born: Fort Campbell, KY
Headshot Photo Credit: ESPN

In doing so Henderson fractured his femur, or broke his leg. It was a vicious play that is difficult to watch, similar to the Portland Trailblazers’ center Greg Oden injury from earlier in the week.

Here is a Youtube video of the injury courtesy of Youtube user “shaqtakesatumble.”

The long-haired man in the cart when Henderson was carted off the field is Henderson’s brother, Erin, who was on the practice squad for the Vikings and travels with the team.

The devastating injury caused Henderson to writhe in pain on the field while other players looked on, some taking a knee, while Henderson was treated to by the Vikings medical staff.

It was a “rough break” according to Al Michaels, the play-by-play commentator for NBC, the station that regularly broadcasts Sunday Night Football.

Henderson is currently the team leader in tackes with 83 which is 12 more than any other player. He has two sacks and has played in all games so far this year.

It will be nice to see Henderson back on the field next season, hopefully in good condition. He is an asset to the Vikings offense and surely will be missed for the rest of this year.

Get well, E.J.

Hall of Fame broadcaster and the legendary voice of the Dodgers, Vin Scully, will be in the booth calling play-by-play for his 61st season.

Scully announced last week that he would be back in 2010. He is the longest-running broadcaster in sports.

The voice of the Dodgers, Scully is also one of the top-recognized faces of the Dodger franchise.

The 82-year-old, who moved to Los Angeles from Brooklyn with the Dodgers in 1957, was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982.

Scully didn’t say that 2010 would be his final season.

In the times that I have met Scully he has been the nicest person but is often in a rush after games to get home to his family. He comes off as a very family-oriented person with a kind heart.

It’s going to be great listening to Vin for another year and hopefully a few more after that. Dodger fans, cherish every minute of it.

There’s nothing like turning on the television or radio at the right time and hearing that recognizable voice say: “It’s time for Dodger baseball!”

Here is a Youtube video from user “andrewgrill,” of Scully’s call on Kirk Gibson’s “miracle” home run in the 1988 world series off superstar relief pitcher Dennis Eckersley. The clip is about 10 minutes long and takes you through one of the most famous moments in Dodger history, called by the man himself. This call is one of the all-time greats and one of the most recognized calls in all of sports history.

Scully’s NBC broadcast partner at the time was Joe Garagiola, who can also be heard giving analysis.

Despite throwing an overtime interception that allowed the Baltimore Ravens to kick a field goal and beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 20-17 on Sunday night, Dennis Dixon helped prove that third-string NFL quarterbacks aren’t necessarily terrible football players. Dixon also proved that his third-string status can overcome first-stringers, such as Jets QB Mark Sanchez, in fantasy points.  In fact, without getting too in depth, Dixon could have earned my fantasy team a whopping 13.25 points if he started over Sanchez, who gained me just over 6 points starting in place of the injured Ben Roethlisberger, my regular starter, and handed my fantasy team its sixth loss of the season (6-6). But that’s not important. What is important is that the kid can play.

Quick Profile
Dennis Dixon 6’3″ 209 lbs. Age: 24 Born: Oakland, CA
Headshot Photo Credit: ESPN

Dixon’s Yahoo! sports player ranking of 2,108 overall may be harsh but his 60.6 quarterback rating was enough to keep the Steelers in the game until the late pick by Ravens defensive lineman Paul Kruger. Dixon was 12 of 26 in his pass attempts collecting 145 yards in the air and threw one heck-of-a touchdown pass to Santonio Holmes. The OT interception was Dixon’s only pick thrown on Sunday night, but lets not forget Dixon has played under the lights before.

Dixon’s career at Oregon was astonishing to many as he threw for over 5,100 yards and 38 touchdowns in his 3+ years on the Ducks. His senior year, 2007, was really something. In 2007 Dixon threw for 2,136 yards and 20 touchdowns with just 4 interceptions. Dixon rushed 105 times for 583 yards and scored 9 touchdowns without fumbling once.

This wasn’t Dixon’s first appearance ever, he threw one pass in a fourth-quarter series against Cleveland in week 17 of 2008 and completed it for three yards with the Steelers leading 31-0. He had two rushes and lost three yards. It was mop-up time to say the least.

Look out football world, we may have another Matt Cassel on our hands here with Dixon stepping up. Oh,  I meant the good Matt Cassel. Sorry for any confusion.

If Roethlisberger’s head doesn’t clear up by next weekend I’ll be starting Dennis Dixon and dropping Mark Sanchez. Hopefully Sanchez doesn’t throw a few TDs and make me pay for dropping him.

Here’s Dixon warming up during pregame of the August 8, 2008 Steelers/Eagles game.
Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images North America

Representing the site’s first photo contribution, here’s a photo I took one night at a Dodger game with my cell phone camera. Playing Left Field that night was a very, very small Manny Ramirez.

Photo By Michael Battaglia