Morning Jolt: Thurs. June 24, 2010
Thurs. June 24, 2010
Today's must-see content delivered straight to you.
Can any team handle Strasburg?
Stephen Strasburg is catching the imagination of his own clubhouse. Now they know he's a fighter, too. "[When] it was gut-check time with men on base, he reached back and got a little extra," Manager Jim Riggleman said. "This time, he was really good. The other times, he's been spectacular. He's just a treasure," Riggleman said. "It's time for him to be mentioned with the other pitchers who came into the league like a house afire, like Dwight Gooden and Roger Clemens." ... "A guy with the stuff he has, and the way he handles himself out there, is not going to be hit hard by a high-average team or a high home run team," Ryan Zimmerman said. "There's no team that's going to be able to handle him. It's not going to matter. He's unbelievable." (The Washington Post)Comment
Is Bradley's ghost haunting the Sixers?
Why won't Philly make up its mind? There is hope that another Allen Iverson will be found -- and that another Shawn Bradley won't. But as decision time arrives, the Sixers are either unclear about the direction they're going or playing mind games with the public to keep us all interested. Just days ago general manager Ed Stefanski did everything but kiss a No. 2 jersey and declare Evan Turner out of Ohio State as the team's choice in the draft. Yesterday it was coach Doug Collins' turn: "I can't tell you who we're picking. But I can tell you that this kid out of Syracuse, Wesley Johnson, had one terrific workout for our team. He's a special player. He has a lot of skill. And if we get him, we'll be lucky to have him." Then there's the issue of Georgia Tech forward Derrick Favors. ... He provides the perfect excuse for Stefanski and Collins' game of poker, as they throw every draft board prediction in the sewer with a smile on their face. (Philadelphia Daily News)Comment
Talk about bittersweet. Moments after a misty-eyed speech here in Las Vegas while accepting the Bill Masterton Trophy, Jose Theodore confirmed to me that GM George McPhee called recently to inform the veteran goal that he won't be re-signed by the Caps. "We had a good talk," Theodore said. "I enjoyed my time in Washington. Two great years. Winning percentage, stats-wise, it was fun to play for the Caps. But things in the new NHL, they are, they're going to go with the young kids [Semyon Varlamov and Michal Neuvirth] and I respect that." ... Theodore said he does not know where he'll end up but quickly added that he's not ready to be a mentor or a backup. (The Washington Post)Comment
Must-See Photo
Love pile: Jubilant teammates and coaches swarm Landon Donovan after the midfielder scored the winning goal vs. Algeria to help the U.S. advance at the World Cup tournament at Loftus Verfeld stadium in Tshwane/Pretoria. (Photo by Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images)
Must-See Video
Makes you tired just thinking about it: Some highlights, facts and figures from the epic John Isner vs. Nicolas Mahut match at Wimbledon....which is still in progress....
Game To Watch
Italy vs. Slovakia, 10 a.m. ET, ESPN
- Italy
- Slovakia
SI Vault: More Rickey Henderson
This Day in Sports
- 1947 -- Jackie Robinson steals home the first of 19 times in his major league career
- 1962 -- Jack Reed's 22nd-inning home run -- the only dinger of his career -- wins the longest Yankees game in history. Final score: Yankees 9, Tigers 7
- 1974 -- Steve Busby of the Royals retires the first nine White Sox he faces to set A.L. record of 33 consecutive batters retired
- 1979 -- All-time stolen base king Rickey Henderson steals the first base of his big league career
- 1991 -- NHL adopts instant replay
- 1997 -- Mark McGwire of the Cardinals hits a 538-foot home run
