BrySmalls

There appear to be numerous fundamental concerns that MLB must tackle in the future, particularly when it comes to promoting its top athletes and postseason contests to generate more public enthusiasm for the World Series. This postseason serves as a clear example: when all the favored teams are eliminated, will the World Series still draw viewers?

I can honestly say that I couldn't even name eight players in total from the Rangers and Diamondbacks teams. I'm skeptical that a different World Series matchup would have fared better to enhance mass appeal, such as Houston vs. Philadelphia or Texas vs. Atlanta.

On a personal level, my only allegiance lies with the Nationals, and I find it challenging to root for about three-fourths of the League when it comes to watching or supporting a specific team in the World Series.

Congratulations, Texas Rangers! 11-0 on the road this postseason is quite the accomplishment too.

If only exhibitions counted, D-II Pace University upsets Rick Pitino-led St. John's University 63-59.

9 hours ago, Dilbert said:

Finalists for MLS awards this year. To no shock Messi is up for Newcomer of the year, despite only 6 MLS appearances with 1 goal and 2 assists (Tournament and international games dont count).

Landon Donovan MLS MVP finalists

• Luciano Acosta - FC Cincinnati
• Thiago Almada - Atlanta United
• Dénis Bouanga - LAFC

Sigi Schmid MLS Coach of the Year finalists

• Bradley Carnell - St. Louis CITY SC
• Wilfried Nancy - Columbus Crew
• Pat Noonan - FC Cincinnati

MLS Newcomer of the Year finalists

For this award, “newcomer” is defined as a player who had previous professional experience and made his MLS debut in 2023.

• Giorgos Giakoumakis - Atlanta United
• Eduard Löwen - St. Louis CITY SC
• Lionel Messi - Inter Miami CF

MLS Young Player of the Year finalists

For this award, any “young player” in MLS who is age 22 or younger during the calendar year is eligible for consideration.

• Thiago Almada - Atlanta United
• Duncan McGuire - Orlando City SC
• Aidan Morris - Columbus Crew

Allstate MLS Goalkeeper of the Year finalists

• Roman Bürki - St. Louis CITY SC
• Roman Celentano - FC Cincinnati
• Pedro Gallese - Orlando City SC

MLS Defender of the Year finalists

• Yeimar Gómez Andrade - Seattle Sounders FC
• Matt Miazga - FC Cincinnati
• Tim Parker - St. Louis

No shock if Messi wins the Newcomer of the Year Award. My votes are above in bold. I stopped at the Defender of the Year Award.

Snakes Alive! Congratulations to the Diamondbacks on making it to their second World Series. If they are successful, they will join the Toronto Blue Jays and Miami Florida Marlins as the only ballclubs to go 2-0 in the Championship. No pressure though!.

I wonder what the oddsmakers had in mind for a Texas-Arizona World Series at the start of the season. Chances are it was a low or nonexistent percentage. Either way, this should be a fun series. I hope it goes to Game 6 or a Game 7.

31 minutes ago, FiddySicks said:

Oh great, just go out and hire the scrubby Padres manager. When is that ever worked out? Name one time.
 

 

Maybe the Giants will secure three non-consecutive World Series championships out of Melvin...

On 10/22/2023 at 1:26 PM, tBBP said:

Time out...so MLS has 29 sides, with San Diego onboarding soon to make 30...and 18 of those squads make the playoffs??? Thats 2/3 of the league! Shouldn't that be the other way around...if anything the top 1/3 make it in? Then again I've never really paid much mind to the structure or format of MLS; I just watch the games and support a side (CITY, in case anyone cares, since I was there from the start of that whole thing). 

 

Has MLS always had that big of a playoff field?

MLS had 8 out of 10 clubs (80%) qualify for the playoffs in the League's 1996 inaugural season and 1997 season.

11 hours ago, WestCoastBias said:

wtf were they thinking

They weren't.

That Naming Rights Sponsor Stadium looks amazing! Can't wait to see it built.

13 minutes ago, McCall said:

I would assume the Nats winning the World Series the first year after Harper went to Philly would've sufficed any lingering feelings of wanting him to fail at winning a World Series, himself.

Absolutely! 

On 10/14/2023 at 5:43 PM, GDAWG said:

Do we want to see Bryce Harper get a World Series Ring?  Remember he left Washington after the 2018 season, and in 2019, the Nationals won the World Series.  

As a Nats fan, yes, I would be pleased to see Bryce win the World Series despite being in a Phillies jersey.

Capitals Announce Blue W Third Jersey To Be Worn for 11 Home Dates During 2023-24 Season

Below is a schedule of the games the Capitals will wear the third jerseys:

Oct. 27             vs. Minnesota Wild                   7 p.m.               

Nov. 2              vs. New York Islanders             7 p.m.               

Nov. 8              vs. Florida Panthers                   7:30 p.m.        

Nov. 24             vs. Edmonton Oilers                  3 p.m.             

Dec. 30             vs. Nashville Predators              7 p.m.           

Jan. 7               vs. Los Angeles Kings               3 p.m.               

Jan. 16              vs. Anaheim Ducks                   7 p.m.              

Feb. 6               vs. Montreal Canadiens             7 p.m.             

Feb. 20             vs. New Jersey Devils               7 p.m.               

March. 9           vs. Chicago Blackhawks            7 p.m.            

March 30          vs. Boston Bruins                      7 p.m.              

On 10/11/2023 at 11:23 PM, GDAWG said:

 

Unless they get a Women's Team in the NWSL to play in Frisco or moving their Next Pro team North Texas SC to Toyota Stadium, I can't see them moving out of there.  They built the National Soccer Hall of Fame there at the stadium.  

Those are fair points. You're right that FCD is in Frisco for a long time. I found portions of their lease agreement and it states they're in Frisco to at least 2037!

5 hours ago, Unocal said:

Burn this playoff format to a crisp

 

They can’t run it back next year 

I'll jinx it and say that we get a Houston vs. Philadelphia World Series rematch.

On 10/11/2023 at 1:10 AM, rainmaker17 said:

Let's Go Rangers?  Anybody?

Yeah, beat the Asterisks!

7 hours ago, Ti-Nick said:

Thanks. I just thought it came from a specific site with game pictures. I always used the Photos section on the NHL website but it seems like it’s not active anymore.

You can find the photos towards the bottom of page 4 on the Getty Images website, https://www.gettyimages.com/photos/blackhawks-penguins?assettype=image&page=4&phrase=blackhawks%20penguins&recency=last48hours&sort=newest&license=rf%2Crm

On 10/9/2023 at 8:56 PM, Dilbert said:

If New England can be in an actual Boston suburb and not halfway between Boston and Providence,  I think it can work as long as they have it near an MBTA line. Public transport to and from the city is important. Also wouldnt mind seeing maybe one game  a year at Fenway. Same with Chicago at Wrigley. I know we are trying to get out of the baseball stadiums, but these are historic sports venues, who also have a history with soccer. I think we can do a game for the charm of the old venues. If anything it would be promotional, like how San Jose has done with games at Levis, or the Classico at Stanford. I think if we can get Colorado back into Denver as soon as possible the better. I think we need to get Dallas out of Frisco. Dallas can work in a suburb but Frisco is the wrong one. Maybe get them into Arlington with the Cowboys, Rangers, and not to mention their 2 team is already there. If we can get Philly into Philly as well that would be good. Chester is okay for a training facility but not an actual stadium. Im not sure about Kansas City though. I think they can hold their own being over in Kansas, plus none of the other KC teams are located in downtown KC.  I think Salt Lake does just fine in Sandy, and the Galaxy might as well just stay in Carson. LA has gone to LAFC.

1. There's been rumors about the Revolution getting a new stadium since the mid-2000s. I honestly don't see it happening anytime soon. 
2. Moving FC Dallas out of Frisco to be closer to Dallas proper does make sense. Their stadium is the third SSS built for in the League. Hopefully, a new stadium will come to fruition.
3. The Union's stadium location might not be ideal, but it works for the club. I can't see the club building a stadium in the Sports Complex area of South Philly or anywhere else closer to Philly proper.

I agree with the League in making this decision. It's best to celebrate all themed appreciation nights away from the playing surface.

This is a great call. Keep politics out of sports.

I'm curious if Inter Miami FC will introduce more than three jerseys in the upcoming season in order to maximize their revenue during Messi's tenure with the club, which extends until 2025.

22 hours ago, MJWalker45 said:

I don't think they're bidding, but it would work. I wonder how many of those stadiums would have to be expanded more for the men? 

That's a good question. Most of the stadiums used for this past Women's World Cup lowered their total capacity for the matches. However, that's not saying much as a few stadiums had low capacity to begin with. Here's a closer look at the stadium's capacities:
 

It's reasonable to assume that the potential venue for the Men's World Cup Final would be Stadium Australia. As per Wikipedia, this stadium boasts a maximum capacity of 82,500* for sports events with a rectangular field configuration. However, it can be adjusted to accommodate up to 115,000** (utilized during the 2000 Summer Olympics).

From the list provided, it seems that at least seven stadiums would need significant enhancements to accommodate large audiences of 50,000+ for the matches. Additionally, with the expansion of the Men's World Cup to 48 teams, it is possible that three more stadiums will be added to this list:

16 hours ago, MJWalker45 said:

I'd say it's between them and China, but then FIFA might just hand 2038 to China and pretend they are two separate continents since Saudi Arabia is in CAF, and China is in AFC. 

Here's a simple solution to subverting the Asian continent conundrum: Put the 2038 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand! If the Women's competition was hosted there, then those two countries can host the Men's competition.

"Bold" Caps predictions for the upcoming season.

1. Mantha and/or Kuznetsov are traded before the deadline.
2. Ovechkin scores 35 goals (any more than that is fantastic!).
3. They sneak into the playoffs as one of the wildcards.

13 hours ago, DCarp1231 said:

What an absolute ass kicking Chicago is dishing out tonight.

 

Not surprised in the slightest this Washington defense is getting torn up.

To be fair, at least the battle of the NFC East basement will be interesting. I think your Commanders will sweep the Giants this season (honestly, they better!).