What’s the buzz from the world of sports? Here are some items that will have people talking:
1
Trail Blazers founding broadcaster Bill Schonely was presented with the 2012 Curt Gowdy Media Award on Thursday evening during the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremonies in Springfield, Mass.
The Gowdy Media Award is named in honor of legendary sports broadcaster and former Hall of Fame Board member and President, the late Curt Gowdy. The prestigious award is presented annually to members of the print and electronic media whose longtime efforts have made a significant contribution to the game of basketball.
“This is the pinnacle for any basketball broadcaster,” Schonely said. “There are no words to describe how it feels to win this award. I am thoroughly honored to be included with the class of individuals who have received the Gowdy award in previous years.”
“The Schonz” was the voice of the Trail Blazers from their first preseason game in Longview in 1970 through the 1998 playoffs, calling 2,522 contests during that span.
2
Here’s what we love about baseball: A player down on his luck, no longer wanted by his team, can surface years later and have a bonanza season.
Consider knuckleballer R.A. Dickey of the New York Mets, who has an 18-4 record and should have five more starts to become a 20-game winner, which would bolster his Cy Young résumé.
This is the same R.A. Dickey who was released by the Mariners a couple of years ago.
Considering where Dickey was just a few years ago — in the minors trying to refine his knuckleball — it has been an incredible journey.
“The whole story of what he’s had to go through to get where he is today is truly one of the great stories of sports,” said Mets manager Terry Collins. “I’m thrilled. I hope he wins it (the Cy Young). But if he doesn’t, he’s certainly had a storybook season.”
3
Apparently, Las Vegas likes the Oklahoma State offense a bit more than Florida State. About 14 points more.
A week after Oklahoma State scored 84 points on FCS opponent Savannah State, Florida State is favored over Savannah State by the biggest margin in the history of college football: 701/2 points. And that’s still two touchdowns away from what the Cowboys did last week.
So what does Savannah State get for its troubles? Nearly $900,000, and the right to see what it’s really like competing at the FBS level. So they’ve got that going for them.
The Tigers got $385,000 for their game last weekend in Stillwater, and will get a bit more ($475,000) for this weekend’s seal clubbing in Tallahassee. Why, you ask?
Because this week’s game was originally set with West Virginia, before the Mountaineers bought out the game when they moved to the Big 12. Weak excuse, we know.
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