Sporting Up Blog

If you’re like me, March Madness is one of your favorite times of year. I remember watching live in my childhood living room when "Duke’s Christian Laettner hit an improbable buzzer-beater to top Kentucky, and I remember being in The Topeka Capital-Journal newsroom when Mario Chalmers drained a 3-pointer at the end of regulation that led to the Kansas Jayhawks’ overtime win over Memphis in the national championship. The tournament has provided me endless excitement over the years. Whether it’s been watching Chris Weber call an ill-advised timeout, the dominance of a Larry Johnson led UNLV squad, the speed and...

When the Kansas City Royals won the American League Central last year, it was their first division title in 30 years. Don’t expect the Royals to wait that long for their next title. With their nucleus of Eric Hosmer, Lorenzo Cain, Alex Gordon, Salvador Perez and Wade Davis back in place, the defending World Series champions appear to be in the driver’s seat to win the AL Central for the next two seasons. Who will join the Royals in the 2016 playoffs?   AL East Division winner: New York Yankees Stealing a line from the Royals, the Yankees added flame-throwing...

No matter what one accomplishes, a new generation of athletes is constantly working to break new barriers and reach new heights. There was a time when no one thought a runner could complete a mile in less than 4 minutes. Now, it is common place. Heck, the 2-mile has been finished in less than 8 minutes. Athletes are continuing to get bigger, faster and stronger. There may be no place where this concept is more evident than the evolution of the NBA dunk contest. There was a time when we were awed by windmill dunks from Dominique Wilkins and Michael...

According to Cam Newton, not being a “sore loser” means you are a loser.

That’s funny, I always called it being a professional.

As you’ve heard by now, the Carolina Panthers quarterback walked out on reporters after answering only a few questions following a 24-10 loss to the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 50.

“I’ve been on record to say I’m a sore loser,”

Which is more valuable, youth or experience? Talent or fundamentals? Energy or wisdom? Those questions may very well be answered when the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos meet Sunday, Feb. 7 in Super Bowl 50. That is when we will see the dynamic skill set of Carolina quarterback Cam Newton matched against the unparalleled leadership ability of Denver quarterback Peyton Manning. On the surface, the differences between the two quarterbacks couldn’t be more staggering. At 13 years, the 26-year-old Newton and the 39-year-old Manning have the largest age gap between opposing starting quarterbacks in Super Bowl history. To put it...