Rock the Ages
At Rock the Ages, a three-on-three women's basketball tournament, women from all different generations play basketball to raise money for a Massachusetts High School's Girls' Basketball program. Only A Game's Karen Given took in this year's tournament.
Are you ready for some football?
On Sunday, Major League Soccer will determine their champion, when the Los Angeles Galaxy and Real Salt Lake face each other in Seattle. According to Bill, the league is delighted with the presence of at least one of the teams in the championship game.
Only A Game 11/14/2009
ESPNs Pat Forde on Mens NCAA Basketball Columbus Blue Jackets Yahoo Sports Dan Wetzel Chad Ochocinco Andre Agassi Charlie Pierce sports week wrap up Madura Racing Bulls
Only A Game 11/07/2009
Yankees - Duke Football - NBA - Sheboygan Redskins - Letters - Charlie Pierce - The Book Of Basketball
The Book of Basketball
Can you argue for days about the relative virtues of Bill Walton and Dave Cowens? Are you more interested in reforming the Basketball Hall of Fame than the country's healthcare system? Then Bill Simmons' The Book of Basketball might just be your bible.
Parity? What parity?
The NFL's head-honchos would have you believe that anything can happen on any given Sunday. But many fans of teams in the bottom-half of the league have already left their teams for dead. Bill asks, "Where's the parity we hear so much about?"
Only A Game 10/31/2009
World Series - Tiffany's Trophies - Bengals - Oyster Shucking - Letters - Charlie Pierce - The First Fall Classic
The First Fall Classic
Though many fans remember baseball in the early 20th-century as a different age in which players played "for the love of the game," baseball players were no different then than they are now. In his book, The First Fall Classic, author Mike Vaccaro explores the making (or re-making) of baseball.
A Scary Baseball Sight
The 2009 World Series cannot end before early November... a circumstance which has many complaining that the baseball season is too long. Bill thinks Major League Baseball can quiet that criticism and win new fans as well by taking advantage of the fact that there will be a game on Halloween night.
Only A Game 10/24/2009
NCAA Football - On Wisconsin - MLB Umpires - The Opposite Field - Charlie Pierce - Beagling
The Opposite Field
In The Opposite Field, author Jesse Katz writes about baseball, sure. But Katz's extraordinarily candid memoir is really about fatherhood, community, and life's bumps and road-blocks.
The Super Bowl of Championships
Often, baseball's World Series reminds fans of bygone days. Bill isn't sure if that's a good thing.
Only A Game 10/17/2009
MLB Weather - J.P. Ricciardi - Soccer News - John O'Brien - Letters - Charlie Pierce - K2
Only A Game 10/17/2009
MLB Weather - J.P. Ricciardi - Soccer News - John O'Brien - Letters - Charlie Pierce - K2
There Is No Joy in Saint Louis
In various cities fans are coming to terms with the disappearance of their baseball teams from the playoffs. According to Bill, for some of those fans, there's solace in other games...for others, not so much.
Only A Game 10/10/2009
MLB Update - Phoenix Coyotes - Olympic Update - 100 Greatest Sports Movies - Letters - Charlie Pierce - NBDL Tryout
Hoop Dreams
This winter will mark the first season for NBA Development League team the Maine Red Claws. Only A Game Associate Producer Doug Tribou puts his hoop dreams to the test as he tries to make the team.
Perect, At Least In Memory
For at least one eight-year old, Don Larson's perfect game in the World Series was, in fact, perfect. Was.
Only A Game 10/03/2009
Phillies - Metrodome - NFL Head Injuries - NHL - Losing Season - Charlie Pierce - Right To Play
Right to Play
Life is hard, especially for women, in the crowded Palestinian refugee camps in northern Lebanon. But, Right to Play, an organization dedicated to teaching life skills through sport, has brought a glimmer of hope to many young women facing the harsh conditions in the camps. Only A Game correspondent Ken Shulman investigated Right To Play's impact.
Use Your Brain, NFL
A recently published study indicates that former NFL players have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's and dementia much more frequently than their counterparts in the population at large. Bill tries to put those findings and their consequences in perspective.
Only A Game 09/26/2009
MLB Update - UFL - Bonnie Richardson - The Rocket - Charlie Pierce - Laughter Yoga
Maurice "The Rocket" Richard
While many athletes today count themselves among the world's most famous people, Montreal Canadiens fans almost deified hometown hero Maurice "The Rocket" Richard. In his book, The Rocket: A Cultural History of Maurice Richard, author Benoit Melancon examines Richard's significance beyond the ice.
Mr. Tennis, Abbie Hoffman and a Hall of Fame
Lots of colleges and universities have established athletic halls of fame. An upcoming induction at one of them appeals to commentator Bill Littlefield for several reasons.
Only A Game 09/19/2009
Angels - WNBA Playoffs - Tandil Tennis School - Something In The Air - Charlie Pierce - Ely Commentary - Town Crier Competition
Town Crier Competition
Hear ye! Hear ye! The town crier, long an image of old-time America and days gone by, was alive and well at a living history event in tiny Hillsborough, New Hampshire. The town hosted its first-ever competition for town criers and Only A Game's Avishay Artsy was there.
Serena's Next Point
The most thoroughly discussed event in the recently-completed U.S Open Tennis Tournament was the tirade which Serena Williams directed at the linesperson who penalized her for a foot fault, while Williams was losing to Kim Clijsters in the women's final. As far as commentator Bill Littlefield is concerned, the question now is how Williams will endeavor to rehabilitate her image following the episode.
Only A Game 09/12/2009
U.S. Open Update - NASCAR - NFL Preview - Thanksgiving 1959 - Charlie Pierce - NBA Hall Of Fame - Donut Derby
The Labor Day Donut Derby
Most cyclists ride their bikes as a good source of exercise. Some avid bikers, however, ride for the donuts. Reporter Eugene Sonn strapped on his helmet for Allentown, Pennsylvania's Labor Day Donut Derby and found the tastier side of cycling.
Melanie Oudin's Sweet Shoes
After becoming the biggest story of this year's U.S. Open tennis tournament by upsetting several seeded players, Melanie Oudin has captured the sports world's attention. Just what sparked the American teenager's impressive run? According to Bill Littlefield, it's the shoes.