Almost perfect: Giants pitcher Toshiya Sugiuchi celebrates with catcher Shinnosuke Abe after throwing a no-hitter against the Golden Eagles on Wednesday. KYODOPerhaps you would throw it in the strike zone. Maybe right down the middle so you wouldn't walk the batter.After all, a perfect game is such a rare, special feat in baseball.Yomiuri Giants hurler Toshiya Sugiuchi is the kind of guy who doesn't readily toss a potential gopher ball over the middle of the plate, even if a perfect game is at stake.For him, there's something more important a pitcher should look for instead of chasing an individual accomplishment.So when he made the count 3-2 against Tohoku Rakuten pinch hitter Toshiya Nakashima with two outs in the ninth at Tokyo Dome on Wednesday, he didn't lose sight of his priority — a win."When I got 3-2 in the count, the first thing I thought was to not allow a hit, so I thought it was fine if it ended up a walk," Sugiuchi said after tossing a no-hitter in Yomiuri's 2-0 win over the Golden Eagles. "And it did end up (being) a walk."There are no regrets for Sugiuchi, even though he missed the chance to become the 16th man — and the first since 1994 — to have a perfect game in the NPB.The Giants were only up by two runs and playing in their batter-friendly stadium, where such a small lead counts for little in that situation. So he cautiously tried to deliver a win for his team."I thought it would be irresponsible to pitch in the middle of the strike zone," he said.For the 10-year veteran, a win is a win no matter how it is earned. So he seemed more comfortable talking about the win than the no-hitter.Sugiuchi is now 7-1 and leads the NPB in victories. The ex-Fukuoka Softbank Hawk, who has always performed well in May (28-8 in his career), improved to 4-0 this month. He also leads Japanese baseball in ERA (1.059) and strikeouts (80)."I'm more thrilled about that (than the no-hitter)," Sugiuchi said with a grin, when asked how he felt about leading Japanese baseball in wins. "The team gets wins in the games I pitch. That makes me feel that I'm contributing."Sugiuchi believes a single-game achievement like a no-hitter is a one-day thing, while chipping in for your team throughout the season is a much more valuable achievement. After helping the Hawks grab their first Japan Series title in eight years last season, Sugiuchi knows that very well."I'm taking this season so seriously," said Sugiuchi, who joined the Giants via free agency. "I feel overwhelmed to have had this no-hitter. But what I want to do is be in the rotation all year without any injuries and help the team win."Of course, Sugiuchi understands how big it is to win games for the Giants, the most storied club in the NPB, who have won 21 championships with so many great players.Sugiuchi, who was given the team's ace jersey, No. 18, said he didn't come to the Kyojin "to have a no-hitter," but joined the Tokyo club to deliver good performances throughout the season. By doing so, he hopes to truly be recognized as a Giant."I don't feel much pressure," he said. "But I want to be the No. 18 in all aspects."
Showing posts with label Glory. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Glory. Show all posts
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Sugiuchi sacrifices glory for team
Just think about it. A 3-2 count, two outs in the ninth inning, and with a perfect game on the line — what would you do on your next pitch?Almost perfect: Giants pitcher Toshiya Sugiuchi celebrates with catcher Shinnosuke Abe after throwing a no-hitter against the Golden Eagles on Wednesday. KYODOPerhaps you would throw it in the strike zone. Maybe right down the middle so you wouldn't walk the batter.After all, a perfect game is such a rare, special feat in baseball.Yomiuri Giants hurler Toshiya Sugiuchi is the kind of guy who doesn't readily toss a potential gopher ball over the middle of the plate, even if a perfect game is at stake.For him, there's something more important a pitcher should look for instead of chasing an individual accomplishment.So when he made the count 3-2 against Tohoku Rakuten pinch hitter Toshiya Nakashima with two outs in the ninth at Tokyo Dome on Wednesday, he didn't lose sight of his priority — a win."When I got 3-2 in the count, the first thing I thought was to not allow a hit, so I thought it was fine if it ended up a walk," Sugiuchi said after tossing a no-hitter in Yomiuri's 2-0 win over the Golden Eagles. "And it did end up (being) a walk."There are no regrets for Sugiuchi, even though he missed the chance to become the 16th man — and the first since 1994 — to have a perfect game in the NPB.The Giants were only up by two runs and playing in their batter-friendly stadium, where such a small lead counts for little in that situation. So he cautiously tried to deliver a win for his team."I thought it would be irresponsible to pitch in the middle of the strike zone," he said.For the 10-year veteran, a win is a win no matter how it is earned. So he seemed more comfortable talking about the win than the no-hitter.Sugiuchi is now 7-1 and leads the NPB in victories. The ex-Fukuoka Softbank Hawk, who has always performed well in May (28-8 in his career), improved to 4-0 this month. He also leads Japanese baseball in ERA (1.059) and strikeouts (80)."I'm more thrilled about that (than the no-hitter)," Sugiuchi said with a grin, when asked how he felt about leading Japanese baseball in wins. "The team gets wins in the games I pitch. That makes me feel that I'm contributing."Sugiuchi believes a single-game achievement like a no-hitter is a one-day thing, while chipping in for your team throughout the season is a much more valuable achievement. After helping the Hawks grab their first Japan Series title in eight years last season, Sugiuchi knows that very well."I'm taking this season so seriously," said Sugiuchi, who joined the Giants via free agency. "I feel overwhelmed to have had this no-hitter. But what I want to do is be in the rotation all year without any injuries and help the team win."Of course, Sugiuchi understands how big it is to win games for the Giants, the most storied club in the NPB, who have won 21 championships with so many great players.Sugiuchi, who was given the team's ace jersey, No. 18, said he didn't come to the Kyojin "to have a no-hitter," but joined the Tokyo club to deliver good performances throughout the season. By doing so, he hopes to truly be recognized as a Giant."I don't feel much pressure," he said. "But I want to be the No. 18 in all aspects."
Almost perfect: Giants pitcher Toshiya Sugiuchi celebrates with catcher Shinnosuke Abe after throwing a no-hitter against the Golden Eagles on Wednesday. KYODOPerhaps you would throw it in the strike zone. Maybe right down the middle so you wouldn't walk the batter.After all, a perfect game is such a rare, special feat in baseball.Yomiuri Giants hurler Toshiya Sugiuchi is the kind of guy who doesn't readily toss a potential gopher ball over the middle of the plate, even if a perfect game is at stake.For him, there's something more important a pitcher should look for instead of chasing an individual accomplishment.So when he made the count 3-2 against Tohoku Rakuten pinch hitter Toshiya Nakashima with two outs in the ninth at Tokyo Dome on Wednesday, he didn't lose sight of his priority — a win."When I got 3-2 in the count, the first thing I thought was to not allow a hit, so I thought it was fine if it ended up a walk," Sugiuchi said after tossing a no-hitter in Yomiuri's 2-0 win over the Golden Eagles. "And it did end up (being) a walk."There are no regrets for Sugiuchi, even though he missed the chance to become the 16th man — and the first since 1994 — to have a perfect game in the NPB.The Giants were only up by two runs and playing in their batter-friendly stadium, where such a small lead counts for little in that situation. So he cautiously tried to deliver a win for his team."I thought it would be irresponsible to pitch in the middle of the strike zone," he said.For the 10-year veteran, a win is a win no matter how it is earned. So he seemed more comfortable talking about the win than the no-hitter.Sugiuchi is now 7-1 and leads the NPB in victories. The ex-Fukuoka Softbank Hawk, who has always performed well in May (28-8 in his career), improved to 4-0 this month. He also leads Japanese baseball in ERA (1.059) and strikeouts (80)."I'm more thrilled about that (than the no-hitter)," Sugiuchi said with a grin, when asked how he felt about leading Japanese baseball in wins. "The team gets wins in the games I pitch. That makes me feel that I'm contributing."Sugiuchi believes a single-game achievement like a no-hitter is a one-day thing, while chipping in for your team throughout the season is a much more valuable achievement. After helping the Hawks grab their first Japan Series title in eight years last season, Sugiuchi knows that very well."I'm taking this season so seriously," said Sugiuchi, who joined the Giants via free agency. "I feel overwhelmed to have had this no-hitter. But what I want to do is be in the rotation all year without any injuries and help the team win."Of course, Sugiuchi understands how big it is to win games for the Giants, the most storied club in the NPB, who have won 21 championships with so many great players.Sugiuchi, who was given the team's ace jersey, No. 18, said he didn't come to the Kyojin "to have a no-hitter," but joined the Tokyo club to deliver good performances throughout the season. By doing so, he hopes to truly be recognized as a Giant."I don't feel much pressure," he said. "But I want to be the No. 18 in all aspects."
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Liverpool a long way from glory days
LONDON — The celebrations among the players, management and fans underlined the joy of reaching the League Cup final even though it is the lowest-rated piece of domestic silverware.
No, not Cardiff City of the Championship but Liverpool. In the not too distant past the League Cup was a consolation prize to a club which was the champion of Europe seven years ago. On Wednesday, Kenny Dalglish led the lap of honor as Liverpool booked its first Wembley date since 2006.Liverpool's elation after beating Manchester City 3-2 on aggregate served to highlight its decline and underachievement since winning the Champions League.When Dalglish took over last season Liverpool was five points off the bottom of the Premier League and had just been knocked out of the League Cup by Northampton of League Two.Despite spending ?100 million on new faces, Liverpool is a long way from mounting a serious challenge for the title, but winning the League Cup would at least show progress and buy Dalglish some time.Andy Carroll, or ?35 million misfit Andy Carroll to give him his full media name, plus Stewart Downing and Jordan Henderson saw Dalglish's investment questioned, but Craig Bellamy, who came gift-wrapped from City during the summer on a free transfer, scored the goal that made his former club fall at the final hurdle. Liverpool's best signing this season cost nothing.Dalglish treats his team selections like state secrets, but Bellamy is a shoe-in to play against his hometown club where he spent a season on loan last season in the final.Liverpool hosts Manchester United in the F.A. Cup fourth round on Saturday and with the pressure off them after sealing a Wembley final, there is a quiet confidence around Anfield that it can complete a memorable Manchester double.* * *IF YOU BELIEVED someone had insulted you, how would you feel about shaking their hand?Probably uncomfortable.And how would you feel if someone told you to greet that person in the traditional way?Angry, no doubt.There is pressure on Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand and Chelsea captain John Terry to shake hands as is customary for all players before Saturday's F.A. Cup tie at Loftus Road.The problem is that the game comes four days before Terry is due to face trial for alleged racist remarks made to Ferdinand when the teams met earlier in the season.Wayne Bridge of Manchester City refused to shake Terry's hand before a match in the wake of stories linking the England captain to the fullback's ex-partner. There is no way the Football Association or QPR should ask Ferdinand to do anything he does not want to do. Ferdinand's decision should be his decision and his alone.Terry is unlikely to appear in court next Wednesday, his lawyers entering a plea of not guilty on his behalf, the case therefore being adjourned for up to six weeks.Whenever Terry appears before a magistrate, there is the possibility that if Ferdinand shakes his hand it could be used by the accused's legal team to his advantage* * *NOTE THE TIME and date: 17:54, January 22nd, 2012. It could be a defining moment in Arsene Wenger's career as Arsenal manager.Paying customers have every right to show their feelings but I never thought I would hear "you don't know what you're doing" echoing around Emirates Stadium.There has been a growing disillusionment with Wenger among Arsenal fans and last Sunday's vocal dissent was probably more a buildup of six years of frustration without winning a trophy, than what was called a game-losing substitution.Qualifying for the Champions League this season is in doubt, and while Wenger is Arsenal's most successful manager, his credit is running out.Wenger's alleged inability to know what he was doing was based on the substitution of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain by Andrey Arshavin. Many Arsenal supporters also didn't think the Frenchman knew what he was doing when Oxlade-Chamberlain joined Arsenal for ?12 million, but the winger has star potential, and apparently in hindsight Wenger did know what he was doing after all.Arshavin is only marginally more popular than Tottenham among the Emirates faithful, the Russian's popularity dipping even further when he failed to track Antonio Valencia as he laid on Manchester United's winning goal scored by Danny Welbeck.This pre-supposes Oxlade-Chamberlain would have chased Valencia. Fine winger the teenager is, but he had made only one tackle during his time on the pitch.Wenger will have to be replaced at some stage but that is unlikely to be until next year, when his contract runs out. And maybe Arsenal fans should be careful what they wish for.* * *CHOOSE YOUR friends wisely but choose your enemies even more carefully. Who you choose as your enemies defines you.Carlos Tevez failed to take heed of these wise words and it has cost the Manchester City striker (past rather than present) ?9.3 million in loss of earnings to date.There were always going to be repercussions when Tevez refused to warm up during the City-Bayern Munch Champions League tie in the Allianz Arena in September.It has proved to be the most expensive act of petulance in football history, costing the Argentine ?3.3 million in fines and loss of wages (?198,000 a week) to date. This is on top of the loss of a ?6 million loyalty bonus (stop shaking your head in disbelief) forfeited when he asked for a transfer in December 2010.Christopher Davies was a longtime Premier League correspondent for the London Daily Telegraph.
No, not Cardiff City of the Championship but Liverpool. In the not too distant past the League Cup was a consolation prize to a club which was the champion of Europe seven years ago. On Wednesday, Kenny Dalglish led the lap of honor as Liverpool booked its first Wembley date since 2006.Liverpool's elation after beating Manchester City 3-2 on aggregate served to highlight its decline and underachievement since winning the Champions League.When Dalglish took over last season Liverpool was five points off the bottom of the Premier League and had just been knocked out of the League Cup by Northampton of League Two.Despite spending ?100 million on new faces, Liverpool is a long way from mounting a serious challenge for the title, but winning the League Cup would at least show progress and buy Dalglish some time.Andy Carroll, or ?35 million misfit Andy Carroll to give him his full media name, plus Stewart Downing and Jordan Henderson saw Dalglish's investment questioned, but Craig Bellamy, who came gift-wrapped from City during the summer on a free transfer, scored the goal that made his former club fall at the final hurdle. Liverpool's best signing this season cost nothing.Dalglish treats his team selections like state secrets, but Bellamy is a shoe-in to play against his hometown club where he spent a season on loan last season in the final.Liverpool hosts Manchester United in the F.A. Cup fourth round on Saturday and with the pressure off them after sealing a Wembley final, there is a quiet confidence around Anfield that it can complete a memorable Manchester double.* * *IF YOU BELIEVED someone had insulted you, how would you feel about shaking their hand?Probably uncomfortable.And how would you feel if someone told you to greet that person in the traditional way?Angry, no doubt.There is pressure on Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand and Chelsea captain John Terry to shake hands as is customary for all players before Saturday's F.A. Cup tie at Loftus Road.The problem is that the game comes four days before Terry is due to face trial for alleged racist remarks made to Ferdinand when the teams met earlier in the season.Wayne Bridge of Manchester City refused to shake Terry's hand before a match in the wake of stories linking the England captain to the fullback's ex-partner. There is no way the Football Association or QPR should ask Ferdinand to do anything he does not want to do. Ferdinand's decision should be his decision and his alone.Terry is unlikely to appear in court next Wednesday, his lawyers entering a plea of not guilty on his behalf, the case therefore being adjourned for up to six weeks.Whenever Terry appears before a magistrate, there is the possibility that if Ferdinand shakes his hand it could be used by the accused's legal team to his advantage* * *NOTE THE TIME and date: 17:54, January 22nd, 2012. It could be a defining moment in Arsene Wenger's career as Arsenal manager.Paying customers have every right to show their feelings but I never thought I would hear "you don't know what you're doing" echoing around Emirates Stadium.There has been a growing disillusionment with Wenger among Arsenal fans and last Sunday's vocal dissent was probably more a buildup of six years of frustration without winning a trophy, than what was called a game-losing substitution.Qualifying for the Champions League this season is in doubt, and while Wenger is Arsenal's most successful manager, his credit is running out.Wenger's alleged inability to know what he was doing was based on the substitution of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain by Andrey Arshavin. Many Arsenal supporters also didn't think the Frenchman knew what he was doing when Oxlade-Chamberlain joined Arsenal for ?12 million, but the winger has star potential, and apparently in hindsight Wenger did know what he was doing after all.Arshavin is only marginally more popular than Tottenham among the Emirates faithful, the Russian's popularity dipping even further when he failed to track Antonio Valencia as he laid on Manchester United's winning goal scored by Danny Welbeck.This pre-supposes Oxlade-Chamberlain would have chased Valencia. Fine winger the teenager is, but he had made only one tackle during his time on the pitch.Wenger will have to be replaced at some stage but that is unlikely to be until next year, when his contract runs out. And maybe Arsenal fans should be careful what they wish for.* * *CHOOSE YOUR friends wisely but choose your enemies even more carefully. Who you choose as your enemies defines you.Carlos Tevez failed to take heed of these wise words and it has cost the Manchester City striker (past rather than present) ?9.3 million in loss of earnings to date.There were always going to be repercussions when Tevez refused to warm up during the City-Bayern Munch Champions League tie in the Allianz Arena in September.It has proved to be the most expensive act of petulance in football history, costing the Argentine ?3.3 million in fines and loss of wages (?198,000 a week) to date. This is on top of the loss of a ?6 million loyalty bonus (stop shaking your head in disbelief) forfeited when he asked for a transfer in December 2010.Christopher Davies was a longtime Premier League correspondent for the London Daily Telegraph.Friday, April 22, 2011
ABC Wide World Of Sports: 40 Years Of Glory
For the first time ever on DVD, you can relive the greatest moments from one of the most popular and beloved shows in American sports history. For over 40 years, ABC's Wide World of Sports brought America face-to-face with sports pinnacles and perils. Hosted by Jim McKay, the program was an instant classic, showcasing a diverse collection of sports from around the globe that captivated audiences everywhere. From Lance Armstrong's first amazing Tour de France win to Nadia Comaneci's dramatic Olympic feats, and Evel Knievel's death-defying motorcycle jumps, rediscover the unforgettable legacy of Wide World of Sports. BONUS FEATURES:
Vinko Bogataj Update
WWOS - Mohammad Ali
Jim McKay Tribute
Price: $16.95
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