Sports sites

[Nabubrush]

Thought I'd make a repository for interesting or helpful sports websites for them that are interested, and I hope that some folks will share their own favorite sites. I figure we're all conversant with ESPN, SI, and TSN.

Pro Football Reference - huge clearinghouse of pro football info.
Database Football - another pile of football stats.
Hockey DB - same deal as above, but for hockey.
Sports Club Stats - your sports team's chances of making the playoffs.
Straight cash, homey - people wearing bad jerseys/sweaters.
Sports Logos - In keeping with the above, sports logos throughout the ages.
SB Nation - fan sites for teams. I found a big list of players by number for the Chargers here.
NCAA - specifically, the graduation rates of various schools. Always a hoot!
Kissing Suzy Kolber - we've talked about this one. Humor site (NFL only, often very sketchy, but not chan-level).

[AugustWest]

Nice!

Here's one I use a lot: Sagarin ratings: Where sports and math nerd-dom meet!

[Carlos del Vaca]

Joe Posnanski is the best sportswriter in America, and if you don't read his blog, you should.

I also read Jeff Pearlman's blog.  He writes for SI and has some good books out.  His blog isn't always sports-related, and sometimes he's a tad whiny, or writes stupid things and then ends up apologizing later.  But I don't mind--he comes across as very human, and he hits more often than he misses.

I would have put Deadspin in your initial list of "sites we all know already," but you didn't, so here you go.

I also read a bunch of DC and Philly-specific sports blogs that probably wouldn't interest most of you.  But I will call out Dan Steinberg's DC Sports Bog for the Post, as he comes up with plenty of entertaining stuff.

Baseball Reference is handy for looking up stats and stuff.  You can sponsor a player page there if you want.

[Asherdan]

The Baseball Analysts is good stuff. At least the HOF Dutchman swears by them, I'm sure.

I enjoyed ESPN's Sweet Spot blog when Rob Neyer was at the helm and the new honcho shows promise.

Speaking of Rob Neyer, he landed over at SB Nation, which Nabu linked.

Phil Bourjailay is good but Dave Petzel is who I'm practicing to be when I grow up.

You don't have to listen to his politics, but if you take his tactical and situational advice you might be around to argue with John Farnam longer.

John Taffin. Nuff said!

Check out Pat and Bun's blogs any time you need some monthly outdoorsman gut-busting.

Cold Hard Football Facts. I like their take on things. Not agreeing with all of them makes it interesting.

[Nabubrush]

I do like Deadspin, and forgot them. You can also sponsor pages at pro-football reference. Thanks, everyone, for the links. I look forward to digging in.

[Drygioni]

www.zonalmarking.net

Best football tactics site on the net

[CortJstr]

www.zonalmarking.net

Best football tactics site on the net

Judy, you'll be happy to know that people here are going apeshit for the Man U vs. FC Barcelona game this summer. A friend-of-a-friend in Toronto is considering buying season tickets to DC United just to guarantee a seat.

[Drygioni]

Judy, you'll be happy to know that people here are going apeshit for the Man U vs. FC Barcelona game this summer. A friend-of-a-friend in Toronto is considering buying season tickets to DC United just to guarantee a seat.

That is pleasing. Man Utd. can go eat a bag of willies but there is no finer team on the planet than Barcelona if it's sexual, attractive football you want. I'm glad it's taking off. You have a great national team and seem to produce likeable, well-grounded footballers with maybe not a lot of raw talent but a great sense of professionalism and know-how. USA might finally be a major player in a real world sport! That isn't athletics based obviously.

The dude who owns the Red Sox, John W Henry, has bought my team (Liverpool). He has so far said all the right thing and made the right moves. His redevelopment of Fenway is exactly what needs to be applied to Anfield (Liverpool's ground) and he seems to be fairly well liked over there.

Also, Liverpool and the Red Sox seem to have similar historical fortunes. A rich history plagued by a long drought.

[CortJstr]

So far everybody I've talked about about this game has said "fuck Manchester United." Why is that? Are they like the Yankees where they're just the team everybody hates?

DC United is also playing Everton and AFC Ajax in friendlies. People are less excited about those

Also: I'm pretty jazzed for the women's World Cup this year. Can the US claim a 3rd title? Can Germany pull off a 3rd straight title? Why do only the German women put the stars over their logo? Why don't other sports copy the stars idea? These questions and more will be answered this summer.

[Carlos del Vaca]

So far everybody I've talked about about this game has said "fuck Manchester United." Why is that? Are they like the Yankees where they're just the team everybody hates?

Yup.  They win a lot of games because they sign the best (and most expensive) players, which gets them a lot of fans and merchandise sales, which gives them more money to sign players.  It's a self-perpetuating cycle, nice work if you can get it, and seems a bit unfair to everyone else.

[Drygioni]

What Carlos said, here's a longer list of reasons:

- I'm a Liverpool fan and the rivalry with them is intense both socially and for footballing reasons. Man Utd. also have historical/currently big rivalries with other extensive fanbases, such as Leeds, Arsenal, Man City, Chelsea etc. so you'll find a lot of football fans with an axe to grind.
- Alex Ferguson is a brilliant manager, but his arrogance, petulance and lack of respect for authority figures symbolises the 'we're Man United and we'll do what we want' attitude of the club.
- Gary Neville, prime tosspot
- They're not unique in this but their fans are disgraceful at times. Rarely Mancunian themselves, they crop up all over the country, the worst kind of glory hunters, attaching themselves to a club they have no social or familial connection with. This I do not necessarily have a problem with, but when someone with a Southern accent loudly proclaims how 'his' team are great despite not knowing the names of any of the players it's terrible, and they're the worst for it
- Linked to above: large Irish fanbase. Irish plastics are nobbers to a man.
- If you're going to be champions, do it with class. They don't. Well-known for surrounding referees, dirty play and bad sportsmanship when they feel they can get away with it.
- We're all jealous of their consistent success and great footballers.

Also, Barcelona are a very likeable team in some aspects. Astonishing play, great players, Guardiola (manager) is a gent, have a largely home-grown team. They can be petty at times but not many neutrals would favour Manchester United, that's for sure.

That's enough de-railing now. Sorry.