Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Unbalanced.
Can the Penguins Repeat?
The Pittsburgh Penguins entered the 2016–17 season as defending Stanley Cup champions and had 12–1 odds to repeat, the fourth best chance in the league according to Bovada. After opening up a 3–1 game lead on the Columbus Blue Jackets, those odds have skyrocketed to 15–4 favorites via VegasInsider. The NHL hasn’t seen a repeat champion since the Detroit Red Wings in 1998. Now that they’ve advanced to the second round, can the Penguins be the first since then and defend their title?
Kyle VandenbergPublished 7 years ago in UnbalancedPay For Your Own Damn Stadium
In 2017, with much fanfare, pomp, and circumstance, no fewer than three major league Atlanta sports teams will receive new stadiums. The Atlanta Braves will move north from Turner field into SunTrust Park, and the Falcons and the newly-formed Atlanta United FC will move into the aperture-esque Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
John EdwardsPublished 7 years ago in UnbalancedThe Eric Thames Hype Is Real
Eric Thames has carried his success from the Korean baseball league last year right over to the Majors, where he’s already hit a league-leading 11 homers in just 22 games at first base for the Brewers.
Quinn AllenPublished 7 years ago in UnbalancedThe WBC Was Just as Successful as It Needed to Be
The confetti has been swept up, the uniforms are in the wash, and the trophy is in storage. Yes, it’s true — the World Baseball Classic has finally wrapped up. It’s been a month of big story lines — from team Israel making a surprise run into the second round to Puerto Rico’s blondes-have-more-fun mentality causing the entire island to run out of blonde hair dye. And who could forget the USA taking their first crown following a stellar performance by Marcus Stroman?
John EdwardsPublished 7 years ago in UnbalancedBetrayal, Thy Name Is Dottie
During the battle for America’s independence, when George Washington’s army ate horse meat and Betsy Ross sewed up the continental army’s guns (or something,) general Benedict Arnold held clandestine meetings with British leader Sir Henry Clinton (EMAILS! sorry, force of habit) which resulted in the surrender of Arnold’s forces at West Point.
Jared WheelerPublished 7 years ago in UnbalancedStop Drafting High Schoolers
In the 2016 Major League Draft first round, out of 23 picks, 12 of them (more than HALF) came from high schools. The number one pick, OF Mickey Moniak, was drafted by the Phillies out of La Costa Canyon High School in San Diego.
John EdwardsPublished 7 years ago in UnbalancedHow The Most Important NBA Finals Matchup Lies Between Kevin Love and Draymond Green
The buildup for this NBA Finals is bigger than anything in recent memory. With the combination of this being the rubber match following the last two Finals, the obviously apparent disdain these two teams have for one another, and this year’s playoffs being less entertaining than the Summer League, everyone is ready the clash of the titans.
Dan O'SheaPublished 7 years ago in UnbalancedMajor League Baseball Should Modify the ‘Extra Inning Rule’ Experiment
Baseball is a sport that may seem slow to some. But for those who really understand the beauty of this game, it’s nothing but excitement.
Quinn AllenPublished 7 years ago in UnbalancedLeBron James and the End of an Era…Again
There once was a kid from Akron. His name was LeBron Raymone James. He was a very healthy kid, with a rather tough background, who would grow up to be a rather healthy man. This healthy man from little Akron, Ohio would grow to be so healthy, and superbly skilled at basketball that he would then be drafted by his home-state Cleveland Cavaliers in hopes that he would “Save the franchise”. Well, he didn’t quite do it the first time around as he would leave Cleveland in search of greener pastures and sunnier shades, and this is where he found South Beach, Miami. In Miami little LeBron “The Chosen One”, who had now flourished into King James, won several titles with his comrades in Chris Bosh and BFF Dwyane Wade. Shocking to some, he would then make his return to Cleveland, with the promise of bringing them a ring. “I’m coming home” was the theme song, as LeBron came home, and eventually led his city and franchise to a championship. After many more years of basketball bliss they all lived…………….**BACKSPIN!!
Kenneth WilsonPublished 7 years ago in UnbalancedThe Worst Bracket Breakdown on the Internet
I’m a dope. I get far too excited for the NCAA men’s basketball tournament each and every year. I treat the opening weekend like bacchanalia and neglect all adult duties. I inevitably end up with basketball fatigue if *my team* is eliminated. Yet here I am again. Like a virgin on prom night (and thousands of nights after because I’m the type of guy who has a tendency to become obsessively enthralled with all measure of nerd-dom) full of a fervor that can only be described as hormonal.
Jared WheelerPublished 7 years ago in UnbalancedWhy Andrew Luck’s Window for “Greatness” Might Be Closing
A few short years ago, ahead of the 2012 NFL Draft, there was one name that was all the rage. This name was none other than prize quarterbacking prodigy Andrew Luck out of Stanford. Not only was the pedigree supposedly there, being the offspring of another former NFL quarterback Oliver Luck, but according to every scout, pundit, coach, and analyst that salivated over the prospect, the talent and natural ability was there also. This football player, this man, this quarterbacking “GOD” was sure to be the next big thing in the NFL and surely the best quarterback in the league someday.
Kenneth WilsonPublished 7 years ago in UnbalancedIt’s Time to Rethink Lineups
Terry Collins sighs, sitting alone in his office. An empty lineup card sits before him. He’s spent the past hour puzzling over who to bat today, and where — should Cespedes bat cleanup, or would he fit better in the 3 hole? Does Jose Reyes deserve to lead-off? And where on Earth does Jay Bruce fit into any of this?
John EdwardsPublished 7 years ago in Unbalanced