As I sit here ignoring the Super Bowl, it occurs to me that it might be fun for you to do some research about the history of sports franchises in the US. So here's your assignment: research and report the history of a current day professional sports team of your choice. When was the team founded? What major changes have taken place since the team's inception? What have been the highlights of the franchise's history, and who stands out as the biggest star/stars? Hmm, and two bonus points on the next test if you let me know privately which major league baseball team used to take spring training in Kentucky!
Some of today's teams have been around for more than one hundred years but have seen notable changes. For instance, did you know that the Atlanta Braves were once called the Boston Beaneaters? Or that the New York Yankees were once known as the Baltimore Orioles? Or that the LA Dodgers were originally known as the Brooklyn Trolley Dodgers? (That name actually makes sense, though, unlike another name they used for nearly a decade - the Brooklyn Bridegrooms, which I guess you could think of as "the unsuccessful dodgers"...).
A good place to start researching Major Leage Baseball teams would be http://www.baseball-almanac.com/teammenu.shtml . If you aren't interested in baseball, how about football? Did you know that the oldest professional football team is the Arizona Cardinals - who began in 1898 as the Racine Street Cardinals? They also won the first National Football League championship in 1925 - against the Pottsville Maroons. You can start looking for information at the link http://www.nflteamhistory.com/nfl_team_history.html . Professional basketball hasn't been around as long but you can start looking for information at http://www.rauzulusstreet.com/basketball/nba/nbahistory.htm .
In addition to discussing the team's history, please share your opinion about why people are such sports fans. Are you a sports fan? Why or why not? Happy hunting! Remember that you must meet all homework requirements - and that NO POINTS WILL BE AWARDED FOR PLAGIARIZED WORK!
First off, fun?? This ain't fun for those of us who hate sports, just thought I'd throw that out there. Anyways, I picked the baseball team the Colorado Rockies. I chose this team mainly cause I've never heard of them.
ReplyDeleteThe city of Denver wanted a major league baseball team franchise and urged for years, even decades, until they were finally awarded one in 1991. Two years later, the Colorado Rockies played their first game in front of a crowd of 80,000. Pretty good for a team that some people probably have never heard of before. The number of people in the crowd was interesting because it was "the largest opening crowd in baseball history" as the website stated. This first game was played against Montreal and the Rockies won 11-4, and I must say, it would have stunk for them if they had lost their first game ever.
For the first two seasons, the Rockies played for crowds ranging from numbers in the 60,000's to crowds in the 70,000s. In 1995, the Rockies' stadium, Coors Field, was built to accomadate over 50,000 people. At their first game in Coors Field, the Rockies beat the Mets 11-9.
Something I find interesting about the stadium itself is that it is a mile high. If you go to the 20th row in the stadium, you would be a mile above sea level. Because of the thin air in Denver, baseball's travel much farther. Studies have proved that a baseball that would travel 400 feet in New York, which is at sea level, would travel 440 feet in Colorado, to use the example the website gave. Seems kinda unfair to the teams that don't have that kind of air, but whatever. However, this wears heavy on the pitchers and batters and scares away agents and stuff, making the Colorado Rockies not as good as they could be, I supose.
As for my opinion as for why people are sports fans, I don't know. Something to do and bring people together I guess. Personally, I don't care at all. The only sport I watch is the PBR (Proffesion Bull Riding and YES it IS a sport!!!!!) and I watch that because it is actually exciting, you never know what is going to happen. In baseball, you can kinda track the ball and know a little what might happen, but in Bull Riding you never know what might happen, it's completly unpredictable. Outside of that, I don't get sports at all. Just something to do and hang out and aruge is all I see it as. And for those of us who don't like sports, it just gets a bit annoying.
Works cited: http://www.baseball-almanac.com/teams/rock.shtml
well i for one must confess, i am a huge football fan. it's about the only sport other than soccer that i can really get into. i love the intensity of it all i must say its a pretty great adrenaline rush. but anyways back to the subject.
ReplyDeleteim going to do my essay this week on the cincinnati bengals. i chose this team mostly because i come from ohio so it only seems natural to stick with it. now the bengals officially began in 1968 but all the work started three complete years before that when Paul Brown the former coach of the cleveland browns met up with jim rhodes and they agreed the state could have a second pro team.
in 1968 the bengals won their first two home games against Denver and Buffalo and finished with a 3-11 record that year they captured the afc central division title and became the first expansion team to win a championship of any sort in just three years this was all considered a huge accomplishment.
now i couldnt find any information on the current leading or important team members because the bengals team page hadnt recently been updated so i suppose i will tell you about of the more important players from back in the day. his name is anthony munoz (tackle) apparently he was a first round draft pick back in 1981 and he was a usc graduate. he was chosen to be in eleven back to back pro bowls from the year 1982 to 1992 and was brought into the pro football hall of fame in 1998.
now in my opinion people are such sports fans simply for the pure joy of it all... like i said before the adrenaline is lie no other and it just feels good to have your whole heart and soul into something for a little bit of time. i mean of course there is much more to life but just to have a child like faith in something as small as a football team it feels pretty good and not to mention how much fun it is!!!
and i got my sources from:
http://www.nflteamhistory.com/nfl_team_history.html
This week for my essay I choose to do The Pittsburgh Steelers. It was founded
ReplyDeleteon July 8, 1933 by Arthur J. Rooney. The Pittsburgh Steelers were actually know
as the Pirated until 1940. The Pittsburgh Steelers actually went there first forty
years without winning a championship until 1972. The Pittsburgh Steelers actually became
the first team to win four Super Bowls and the only team to ever win back to back Super Bowls.
The past two decades for The Pittsburgh Steelers has actually been good. There first seven seasons
they only won twenty-two games. From 1957 to 1963 The Pittsburgh Steelers were coached by Buddy Parker.And ofcourse with the help of many other good players they are slowly getting better and better now.Im not really that in to sports but reading about The Pittsburgh Steelers was somewhat interesting.I think people are such sports fans because for alot of people it represents wear they are from or maybe wear they went to school at or there parents went to school at but in most cases it holds more than just saying im for them just because i like them. I am a little bit of a sports fan and mainly just because all my family is for and iv grown to like them.
The New York Yankees, started originally as the New York Highlanders (1903), and were owned by bartenders who gave 18,000$ to buy the Baltimore franchise and bring it north. In the first 18 years of that team, which changed the name to "The New York Yankees" in 1913, they were only one time seriously challenged. It was in 1904 when Jack Chesbro set a modern day record. Some players passed through New York back in that time, like Wee Willie Keeler, Hal Chase, Roger Peckinpaugh and Frank Baker, but the New York Yankees were always also-rans.
ReplyDeleteA few years later, after the famous deal to buy Babe Ruth from the Red Sox, the Yankee manager Miller Huggins guided the team to its first three pennants in 1921, 1922, 1923.
The Team of the Year 1927 is considered by a lot of baseball historians. They won four world championships from 1936-1939. After the loss of the playoffs in Seattle Buck Showalter, the manager, got replaced by Joe Torre in 1995. He led the Team till 2008 and changed than to the Dodgers
The Yankees latest dynasty from 1995-2010 included playoffs every season but 2008, and also five more world championship trophies. The New York Yankees were the barometer for baseball and generally sports in the 20th century and are off to a rousing start in the 21st century as well.
For my essay I chose the New York Jets. Im not a fan but since everyone will probably do the Packers or Steelers and my mom is from New York I might as well...
ReplyDeleteThe New York Jets were founded in 1959. They represent the New York city area. The team was originally known as the Titans and was an original team of the American Football League. Their first coach was Sammy Baugh, coaching from 1960 to 1961. Their head coach now is Rex Ryan.
Major changs that have taken place since the teams inception... One major change is that they moved from the old polo grounds to Shea's newly built stadium they now play in Meadowlands stadium in New Jersey. Also they changed their names from the Titans to the Jets. They were a professional football team when the AFL changed its name to the NFL.
Highlights of the franchises history: Their first and only super bowl championship was super bolw number three and was played against the Baltimore Colts. This game was a huge win for them since the Colts were hightly favored. It was a great upset. They defeated the Oakland Raiders in the AFL championship. The two people that stand out as the biggest stars at this point is Don Maynard and Weeb Ewbank. Don Maynard was the first player to sign a contract with the New York Jets. He was inducted into the hall of fame in 1987. He had the most receptions of all players of the NY Jets. The other Weeb Ewbank was a coach he was inducted into the hall of fame in 1978. He led the Jets to their Super Bowl championship against the Colts. He also had a huge amount of wins during his coaching carrer.
Now for the question of why people are such big sports fans... I think that people love sports for several reasons. One I believe that if not all than at least most people are competetive in some way and they love winning. Being sports fan of a specific team and cheering for them can sometimes fulfill that competetive spirit and if the team is good then the desire to win as well. Also I think that most cant't help but naturally want to be a fan of a team that represents them. Wheter it be a high school team, a college team, or team representing your state or country. Another reason is the excitement and thrill of your team winning and if you cant be a part of the team than why not cheer for it. Its entertaining! It also gives people a sense of being a part of something and brings them together. I happen to be a huge sports fan. I love playing them, listening to them, cheering for them, and watching them. Though I dont get to watch them much I still like listening. Why am I a sports fan? Well, I am extremely extremely competetive! I love to win. Playing and cheering for a team is exciting, entertaining. I dont understand how anyone couldn't be a fan!
my works cited:
http://www.nflteamhistory.com/nfl_teams/new_york_jets/hall_of_famers.html
www.profootballhof.com/history/general/champions.aspx
www.rauzulusstreet.com/football/superbowl/superbowlIII.htm
Ok, so to answer the last questions first, I am not a sports person. Athletics have never really been my strongpoint, so I am going to do the best I can to give you the history of a professional sports team. This was new for me as the only sports I am interested in is, of course, UK basketball. With the Super bowl having just taken place, I think “Why are people so into sports?” It’s easy for me to understand the competitive side and how that can cause involvement, but other than that, I don’t know. I guess the enjoyment of watching people throw a ball into a hoop, or massive guys run into each other at full speed giving concussions, or men hitting a tiny ball with a wooden bat is a good form of entertainment for some.
ReplyDeleteAs for the historical side of sports, I chose to study the Atlanta Braves. Why Atlanta? Everybody had moved there making it a great place for a sports team. What makes them so special? In April of 1974 Babe Ruth’s home run record was broken by Aaron. They had pitchers like Phil Niekro and men at bat like Dale Murphy and Bob Horner. The Atlanta Braves won the National League West crown in 1969. They did really well through the ‘90’s and recently saw the step down of 25 season manager Bobby Cox.
Eileen, it’s interesting to see how these great teams got started. They weren’t great from the beginning, but had to gradually build up to the teams we know and love today. When thinking of your favorite team or individual player, it’s hard to imagine them as bad or any different than what they are right now, but they were. Many had to work really hard to get to the point they are at now. This is one of the reasons teams are so idolized today. They have been watched as they arose from the very bottom to the top.
ReplyDeleteMegan, I think you’re right when you say many people just like the teams for area. When people say that, it is in a negative way sometimes, but it makes sense. We should be proud of the area we come from so a way of showing that is to be in favor of the team.
Emily C.
ReplyDeleteGood essay!! I'm not a sports fan either. Never have found it very interesting, even though I play softball. When you wrote about football players running into each other and giving themselves concussions, I cracked up laughing. Not being a sports fan, I often like to find ways to make fun of sports, and that is just funny to me. Good essay!
Morgan,
Although I don't like sports, as I have said, I can see how competativness would be an influence in liking sports. I myself am very compattive, but I always liked to argue more then anything to do with sports haha You said you couldn't understand why anyone couldn't be a fan, I just thought I'd tell you why I'm not a fan. Personally, I don't find sports interesting unless I myself am in the game playing them. During a softball game, I get really into and have fun, but if I'm just at home watching baseball I just can't get into it. That's just me personally. Good essay!!
emily c,
ReplyDeleteso i can honestly say your essay is my favorite like i love it! i had a smile on my face the whole time i was reading it... but mainly when you said " I guess the enjoyment of watching people throw a ball into a hoop or massive guys run into each other at full speed giving concussions or men hitting a tiny ball with a wooden bat is a good form of entertainment for some." that little phrase pretty much made my day. awsome job on your essay it was amazing! :)
megan,
ReplyDeleteyour essay was great and i really agree with you were you said that people mainly are such big fans because thats where their family is from or were they went to school.well like i said in the beginning of my essay im for the bengals mainly because im from ohio so yea i can definitely agree with you there and good job with all your information on the steelers, i learned alot that i didnt know before :) good job!
Yes I am a sports fan. I love sports. I am partly a sports fan because i play sports, soccer baseball and basketball, and I love the games. They are just fun, physical, intense activities. One of the reasons i love sports is when there are a few seconds left and it is a close game, and it keeps you on the edge of your seat, or when some one makes an extremely talented play and leaves you speechless.
ReplyDeleteI think people are sports fans, because they are competitive and look forward to close intense games, that come down to the last seconds, that push the athletes playing to the best of their potential, and want to see how hard each team will fight for the victory
For my sports team, I have chosen to do mine on the Los Angeles Lakers. The Los Angeles Lakers are known as one of the most famous and successful team in the NBA (National Basketball Association). The Los Angeles Lakers predates the NBA. Their first season was in 1947-1948 season, and they were called the Minneapolis Lakers. The Lakers hold the all time winning records, has the highest winning percentage, nba finals appearances, and are tied for most nba titles won with the Boston Celtics, at 17 apiece. The biggest stars for the Lakers through their history has been Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul Jabar, Magic Johnson, Shaquille Oneal, and Kobe Bryant.
As a sports fan, a basketball lover, I have chosen to write about my favorite professional team: The Los Angeles Lakers. The team was founded in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1947. The Lakers were named in honor of their home state’s nickname: “Land of 10,000 Lakes”. The Lakers won five championships in Minnesota, but after some financial issues, relocated to Los Angeles prior to the 1960-61 season.
ReplyDeleteKobe Bryant and Shaquille O Neal are currently two of the best players in the NBA and both on the Los Angeles team. This team has 16 NBA titles and has appeared in the NBA Finals 15 other times. The Lakers have won five league championships, twenty-nine conference titles and thirty-one division crowns. The Lakers also just defeated the Boston Celtics, winning the 2010 NBA Championship, in 2010.
I think that people can get so into sports because it represents them. Like Megan also said, where they’re from, where they went to school, blahblahblah. It’s satisfying to say the team that you cheer for is winning/successful more than, say, teams that no one likes. For example: TENNESSEE!!!!!
I’ve never really been a sports fan, I watch games here and there, but it’s not my first priority by any means. I think people are such sports fans because games can be so intense and aggressive, men like things with lots of action, and more men are sports fan then women. I’m not a sports fan because I’ve never really watched a whole game, but when I do, I do like the intensity and waiting for that final score!
ReplyDeleteI’m writing my essay this week on the Minnesota Vikings, this team started in August of 1959, that’s over fifty one years! The Vikings team has stayed constant since it began, they have had no major changes. Many different coaches and players of course, but only one thing on the mind, winning!
Bud Grant, the coach for the Vikings after 1967, gets a lot of credit for this NFL team. His 168-108-5 record makes him the eighth coach to have the most wins of all time. In the Vikings second year under Grant’s coaching they had eleven division titles in thirteen years. An NFL championship was won in 1969 along with three division titles in 1923, 1974, and 1976. In the last twenty-five years the Vikings have continually stayed at the top of their division.
Works Cited:
http://www.nflteamhistory.com/nfl_teams/minnesota_vikings/team_history.html
wikipedia was my source, bee tee dub
ReplyDeleteDerived from the National Hockey Association, the Boston Bruins are a ice hockey team based out of Boston Massachusetts. They were founded in the year of 1924 in the NHL. They were the first American team to be associated with the NHL. Following them were five other teams, Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings, New York Rangers, Montreal Canadiens, and the Chicago Blackhawks. These six teams are called the Southeast division, one if the many divisions of the NHL. Today the coach of the Boston Bruins is actually a canadian, which I think is kinda ironic. Thee head coach is Claude Julien, with there captain who is Zdeno Chara. There uniforms are really kool, there gold, black, and white. Their home attire actually has more black in it then gold, and the away has a majority of white. The alternate uniform is mostly black with little gold or white. Their home arena had been the Boston Garden since 1928 until 1995 where they currently play home at the TD Garden. They are a very exceptional team, with being the second highest Stanley Cup winners in the United States
ReplyDeleteI used wikipedia. (:
ReplyDeleteI am not really a sports fan but I still enjoy the craziness brought by sports events like this past week’s football game. I don’t really have a favorite team in football (sport which we don’t have in France), baseball or basketball but I still enjoy the three of them. At the beginning of the school year, I had the opportunity to see a baseball game: Cincinnati reds against the Chicago Cubes. I shall say, it was a really good experience.
ReplyDeleteI decided to do my essay on the Cincinnati Reds team because of that event.
Cincinnati, called the Queen City, founded the first openly professional baseball team four years after the civil war. And they have been represented since 1881. They began with a 45-9 thumping of a team called the Great Western of Cincinnati, then proceeded to win nearly every one of its more than 70 games against overmatched amateur teams in the Midwest. They became members of the National League in 1876. After four seasons Cincinnati was kicked out of the National League for playing games on Sunday and for selling beer during games. But they were accepted reinstatement to the National League in 1890 and changed their name from Red Stockings to Reds. For the 30 years following their readmission to the National League, the Reds fared poorly, never finishing higher than third. The Reds would not be heard from again until they built a quality pitching staff in the 1930s. During the next two decades the only interest the Reds created was their politically-tinged decision to change names from the Reds to Redlegs to avoid association with Communists. Rose's departure for Philadelphia as a free agent after 1978 signaled the end of the Big Red Machine. Rose returned as player-manager in 1984 and closed out his career with a record 4,256 hits. However, he was later banned for life from the game for betting on baseball.
The Reds have mostly floundered since 1990, although they finished first in the strike shortened 1994 season, won the Central Division title in ’95 and missed the 1999 postseason by one game. One highlight for the franchise was the opening of another of baseball's retro parks, The Great American Ballpark in 2003.
The club won the Central Division crown in 2010 before being eliminated in the first round. However, regardless of when the Reds add to their five world championships, nine pennants and 10 division titles, they will always have a strong franchise lineage. One that traces back to the dawn of the professional game and their role as keeper of the historic flame they lit by birthing the Red Stockings in 1869.
Well to start off I'd like to say that I LOVE SPORTS. Baseball, basketball, soccer and football are without a doubt my favorite. I was going to talk about the New York Yankees because of experience and.. I am a fan. I was able to go and watch the Yankees play at the their old Yankees stadium the last year before they rebuilt it. It was very fun, but since that topic has already been used im going to jump to basketball and talk about the Washington Wizards. The Wizards aren't my favorite NBA team but I figured it would be cool to do some research and learn about them considering they did get the number one draft pick, John Wall!!
ReplyDeleteThe Wizards began as the Chicago Packers in 1961, then moved and became Chicago Zephyrs, then the Baltimore Bullets, then the Capitol Bullets, and then Washington Bullets. They were the Bullets from 1963 until 1997 when they decided to change their name. The choices of names they had narrowed down were the Dragons, Express, Stallions, Sea Dogs, or Wizards. Their final decision is obvious.. still today known as the Washington Wizards. The Wizards, like most teams, had there time to shine. In 1969 to 1970 they went 50-32 and finished 3rd place in the Eastern Division following the Knicks and Bucks. This same team was the highest scoring team in their franchise history bringing 120 points.
Id just like to add that my favorite NBA players are John Wall and Dwayne Wade!!
www.nba.com/wizards/history/00400304.html
This week I am writing my essay on the Sacramento kings. I really do not have a favorite professional team, I mostly just watch college.
ReplyDeleteThe franchise actually started as a semi professional team based in New York. In 1920 the team was supported by a distillery, this sponsorship lasted through the Great Depression, while most were unable to sponsor during that time. The kings actually did not move to Sacramento, California until nineteen eighty five. Since then they have had some of the worst records, and because of that they can almost never get a top three draft pick. One of their most famous is also one of their most new drafts. It is Demarcus Cousins.
In high school Cousins was named McDonalds All American team. Cousins played in a lot of other tournaments such as: Nike hoop summit 2009 and the Jordan Brand Classic. In high school cousin would average thirteen and one half points a game. In college, as many of you know he played as Kentucky’s center. He averaged 16.1 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks a game. Finally, his rookie NBA experience, he signed a seven million dollar contract for two years, and was named rookie of the month in July.
Due to the lack of commitment of fans the NBA has talked about relocating the King, and one of the rumored cities is here in Louisville Kentucky.
In 1966, Dave Dixon a local sports entrepreneur from New Orleans dreamed up the idea of the New Orleans Saints. Mr. Dixon was responsible for founding the Louisiana Superdome and U.S.F.L.
ReplyDeleteMeeting with U.S. Congressman Hale Boggs,Senator Russell Long and N.F.L. Commissioner Pete Rozelle.
Dixon and a local civic group had been seeking a N.F.L. franchise for over 5 years. They hosted record crowds for N.F.L. exhibition games.
The team was named for the jazz song that is most identified with New Orleans, LA. "When the Saints go marching in." The franchise official birth was announced November 1, 1966, which is Catholics "All Saints Day". Dixon cleared the name of the New Orleans team with the new Orleans Catholic Archbishop before making the announcement.
Due to the damage Hurricane Katrina caused to the Superdome.The Saints 2005 home opener against the Giants was moved to New York Giants Stadium. The remainder of home games were played at L.S.U. Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, LA and the Alamodome in San Antonia, TX.
The person that stands out as the biggest contributor to the team is Drew Brees the Saints quarterback. He led them to the Superbowl victory Superbowl XLIV. Sports Illustrated named him as its 2010 Sportsman of the Year. He gives back to the city of New Orleans in various areas of support.
People enjoy sports because it crosses sub cultures and is a point of entry into each others life. Healthy competition is always good with your fellow fan.
Emily C.
ReplyDeletewell, I thought it was interessting what you said about the sport. And yes, sometimes we can just wonder about why people are so into sports. I don't really know, but a lot of times people love "their" team not becaue of the interessting history, but more because of individual players or the win rate. And it is also fun just to watch a sports team play, but it is even more fun when your favorite team wins! I really enjoyed reading your essay. Good job!
Emily,
I thought it was really interessting that you told us in your essay, that the Minnesota Vikings had no big changes in their Team since they started! Like you said, the changes were more, the new managers and coaches, than anything big in the Team. I don't really know anything about this team, because I do not like watching sports, most of the time I don't know whats going on, so it was a little different this week to write about a sports team. Still, I enjoyed reading the articles about those different sports. Keep up your good work!!
to jess megs 15 i really liked your essay on the Cincinnati Bengals. I am a football fan as well, not a really huge one, but i like the sport a lot. and i really learned a whole lot of info about the bengals and thei team that i had no idea about before. like when they were first formed togather as a team, and i didnt know anything about the players that previously played for that team. such as Anthony Munoz, which i had no idea about before, but it seems to me that he really was a great player, and someone that reallt led their team back then. BUt great job jess megs 15 on your essay about the cincinatti bengals, i reallly liked it, and enjoyed reading it.
ReplyDeleteto Alex, great job on your essay about the washington wizards, and nice choice of favorite players. great job!
ReplyDeleteThis should not come as a surprise to some of you but I will be doing my report on the Pittsburgh Steelers. In the early years the Steelers were not any where close to the team that they have become. The team was started by Arthur Rooney in 1933 and has remained under the ownership of the Rooney family ever since. When the team was founded it was named the Pittsburgh Pirates, the name currently used by the cities baseball team. The name was changed in 1940. In the middle of the forties the Steelers joined with the Philadelphia Eagles and the next year the Arizona Cardinals because of the shortage of players during World War II. The Steelers did not become an elite team until the 1970’s, after the AFL and NFL merger. The Steelers teams of the seventies were among the best teams in history. The Steelers franchise is the only franchise to win back-to-back Super Bowls twice, and also the first to win four Lombardi trophies. Since then other teams have won four but just in the last decade the Steelers have reclaimed the record for most Lombardi Trophies with six. The team has also produced some of the best players in NFL history. Such names as “Mean” Joe Greene, Terry Bradshaw, Mel Blount, Lynn Swann, Franco Harris, and of course coach Chuck Noll. All the previous have been inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame. The more recent Steelers teams are also producing some incredible players. Troy Polamalu, James Harrison, Hines Ward, and current Head Coach Mike Tomlin are just a few of the future Hall of Fame inductees for the Steelers. As for if I am a sports fan or not, I am. I don’t really know why I am a sports fan but I am. It’s one of those thing where either you’re born a sports fan or not.
ReplyDeleteMy sources were http://www.nflteamhistory.com/nfl_team_history.html , and NFL Network.
ReplyDeleteI love to play softball. That’s as far as my interest in sports will go. On occasion, I watch some basketball games or the Super Bowl with my dad, but that’s about it. I would enjoy sports more if I could play them, but I’m not the most coordinated person in the world.
ReplyDeleteI chose to talk about the Carolina Panthers. They haven’t been around for too long since they were officially made a team on October 26, 1993. There were five areas that could become a potential NFL team and Charlotte, North Carolina was one of them. I suppose the owners of NFL voted and the Panthers were in! One of the more notable players was Steve Smith. He became part of the team in 2001 and was a four-time Pro Bowl selection and three-time All-Pro selection. This doesn’t make any sense to me, though. Steve was also on of NFL’s most productive wide receivers (I learned from watching Blind Side that those guys are usually the bigger ones, right?) and he led the team in touchdowns, catches, and receiving yards in 2005. It seems like the Panthers most successful season was in 2003 when they made it to the Super Bowl against the Patriots. Even though they lost, it was the only time they had made it so far.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Carolina_Panthers_seasons
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carolina_Panthers#Players_of_note
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Smith_%28American_football,_born_1979%29
I love to watch sports and games .I like almost every kinds of sports like soccer ,basketball or football .Soccer is always my favorite sport .But my favorite team is not in U.S .In my opinion the most popular sport in America which is Football .I heard a lot about football .Everybody knows what was going on last weekend ,The Superbowl .
ReplyDeleteWell i'm going to write about the professional soccer team U.S. ,LA Galaxy is one of the soccer teams that i've heard in America ,Major League Soccer was founded in 1993 as part of the United States' bid to host the 1994 FIFA World Cup.The first season took place in 1996 with Los Angeles being one of the ten founding teams. The name "Galaxy" was derived from Los Angeles being home to the 'stars' of Hollywood .Four year ago In January 2007 the club made international headlines by signing English player David Beckham (he is one of the most popular profession soccer player that I’ve ever heard .He played for many excellent teams such as Manchester United in England ,Real Madrid in Spain ,Milan in Italy and English International team )from Real Madrid in a deal potentially worth $250 million, at the time the most high-profile signing in the history of MLS. After all, La Galaxy became a lot more popular by selling the team jerseys or all kinds of gifts that has Beckham on it .My point is that was a good decision to signed him in the club because they got a lot more incomes under his name . And my answers are I’m a sport fan because all kinds of sports are entertaining and relaxing .you can spend time with your family while you’re watching sports together.
I decided to do my report on the Los Angeles Lakers. The team was founded in 1948 under the name of the Minneapolis Lakers. When they started they were in the ABA (American Basketball Association), and did not join the NBA until a few years later. In the year 1960 they changed their name to the one we all know today, the Los Angeles Lakers. In the information on this site- im not sure when the last time it was updated- the Lakers have won a total of 15 league championships, 15conference championships, and 33 division championships. The lakers have had 12 members initiated into the basketball hall of fame. Among them is a name that almost everyone has heard of, Magic Johnson.
ReplyDeleteWhy are people sports fans? Well why did the Greeks have The Games? Why did the Romans watch people fight to the death in the Coliseum? It’s because all of these things are not only exciting, but they bring glory to those who play them. They give those who participate, a fun healthy way (unless you died in the coliseum, or got injured while playing a sport. But hey that’s just all part of the game right?) too blow off steam. For the spectators there are many reasons. They are fun to watch, exciting that anything can happen at any moment. All these are completely unpredictable. Yeah sure you can guess who will win, but there are so many chance factors that anything can happen at any moment.
So am I a sports fan? I think if you knew me the question answers itself. I am absolutely in love with soccer! Even though it is not big in America (YET!!) it’s still the world most popular sport. In my opinion its just the greatest sport on the face of the earth.
My essay is going to be about the San Diego Padres. I chose that team, because my aunt lives in San Diego.
ReplyDeleteThe San Diego Padres were founded 1996 by C. Arnholt Smith and started like many teams. They were really bad at the beginning. The Padres lost 110 games in their first season and were last for six seasons in the National League Western Division. Their winning percentage was only .368 %. Then Smith had financial problems and the team was almost moved to Washington D.C. Ray Kroc the guy who founded McDonalds stepped up and bought the team. The first star for San Diego was the first baseman Nate Colbert. He hit 147 home runs during the first five seasons, his record being 38 in 1972. Some noteworthy talents are Randy Jones, Dave Winfield, and Ozzie Smith. The team's mascot is a Chicken.
I think people are sports fans because sport is exciting and it brings glory. It can make athletes famous and can write history. Everybody likes to have his team and to support it, that’s just natural to cheer for something and to have something favorite. The question if I am a sports fan I definetly answer with YES! I love soccer. It’s awesome and one of the oldest sports. People all over the world can play it and it is a really exciting sport.
So now I’m really getting tired (23:58) and it’s very hard to keep my eyes open.
Works cited:
http://www.baseball-almanac.com/teammenu.shtml
In 1869, the Cincinnati Red Stockings became the very first professional baseball team in America.
ReplyDeleteNow known as the Cincinnati Reds, they won their first World Series in 1919 against the Chicago White Sox. Their first championship was spoiled, however, from the “Black Sox Scandal” where several White Sox players were banned from baseball for throwing the Series game in order to win bets.
On June 10, 1944, Joe Nuxhall, who was only 15, was called in to pitch for the Reds due to player shortages from WWII and is still to this day the youngest player in American baseball history. In ’52, Nuxhall came back to play for the Reds for a total of 12 years and upon his retirement became the radio commentator until 2004.
Presently, the Reds play in the Great American Ballpark (opened in 2003) and won their last World Series championship in 1990. On Opening Day in 2006, George W. Bush became the first president to throw the ceremonial first pitch at a Reds game.
Elena, very good essay! I’m surprised we were the only ones to research “The Big Red Machine.” I didn’t know that the Reds were removed from the National League for Sunday games and selling beer. My, how times have changed! The Reds haven’t been doing the best lately, but hopefully that will change soon. Go Joey Votto!!
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ReplyDelete@Elena:
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your essay about the Cincinnati Reds. I think it is really funny that they got kicked out of the ligue because of selling beer during the games. I also think it is very funny that they thought about changing their name again because people would associate the name with communists. Also I think it is sad that this one guy got banned from baseball for his whole life! That is really hard. I learned a lot from reading your essay and it was really nice to read. Great job!
@Alex:
ReplyDeleteGood job on your essay. It was really easy to read and to understand. I learned a lot about the team and I think it is interesting how often they changed their name. That is just amazing. Good job!
The Miami Dolphins football team was founded in 1967 by Joseph Robbie, and was the ninth member of the American Football League.
ReplyDeleteOn August 16, 1987, a brand new stadium with 73,000 seats was opened, which hosted the Super Bowl XXIII and Super Bowl in 1995.
The Miami Dolphins had three straight AFC championships in 1971, 1972 and 1973 and won both Super Bowls VII and VIII. The club advanced to one of the most successful professional football teams more quickly than any other. Coach Shula made the record of 324 coaching victories in 1993 and become the all-time leader. He kept the Dolphins among the league's elite year after year.
The club’s stars were Csonka, Jim Kiick and Paul Warfield, who unfortunately defected to the rival World Football League after the 1974 season. From that point on the team began to decrease in success.
The Dolphins had a total of six head coaches. Coach Robbie died on January 7, 1990, and his successor was H. Wayne Huizenga. The team has also been led by the legendary Shula, Jimmy Johnson, Dave Wannstedt, and Jim Bates. Nick Saban is now the franchise's sixth head coach.
Why are people sports fans? I think because people identify themselves with a sports team and have the opportunity to let their emotions come out.
I am not a huge sports fan. I don’t really enjoy watching games, especially football, and I think the main reason for that is because I don’t understand the rules. The only games I like to watch are the soccer World or the European Champion Ship. That is a big deal back home.
Elena,
ReplyDeleteGood job on your essay! I found it really intriguing to learn that baseball is such an old sport. The Cincinnati Reds have therefore existed for 130 years, and it amazes me that they are still successful. Last summer I went to my first baseball game near Boston. The Red Sox played some other team and it was a really interesting experience.
Lauren,
I enjoyed reading your essay, and I learned a couple of new things from it. I thought it was interesting that the team named itself after the city Los Angeles although they are from Minneapolis, but that they also combined their name with something from their hometown.
Megan,
Thank you for sharing the history of the Pittsburgh Steelers, which was especially interesting because they were one of the teams that played the Super Bowl last weekend. I think it is impressive that the team didn’t get discouraged during all those years not winning. But it obviously was worth it to keep trying, since they then became the victors of four Super Bowls.
Eileen,
ReplyDeleteGood job on your report Eileen. It was very informative. As I have already said, I am a big Yankees fan yet a lot of stuff that you mentioned was new to me so good job. It’s pretty amazing that the team won four world championships in a row. Probably, the most popular player ever from the Yankees was Babe Ruth. I’d say the best players for the Yankees in all their history would be Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Joe DiMaggio. These three players right there were amazing. And the thing about baseball back during the time of Babe Ruth, no one used steroids. Their skill was pure talent. Good job!!!
Guffey,
ReplyDeleteMy other favorite baseball team is the Cincinnati Reds. I didn’t know they were the very first professional baseball team in America that surprises me. Good job on your report, I enjoyed reading it. By the way I love the Great American Ballpark haha!! I think it’s about time they won another World Series.
Private Elijah, thanks for commenting on the Rockies and Coors Field. I went to Coors Field with my family to see a professional soccer match. The guys that were there, went on to make the team for the U.S. Team World Cup.
ReplyDeleteI must say in Colorado's defense,it does not have the humidity that other places have. I think it's like everything else, you have to have a little bit of time of acclimate to elevation, time zones, humidity or no humidity. We have close friends out in the Denver area who would run track in school. They'd have a hard time beating the kids who practiced in the Rocky Mountains and ran in higher elevation. I say there are pro's and con's for any team. Just pray your traded to the team you could win with.
Guffy: Thanks for the info. on the Cincinnati Reds. I had no idea that they were the oldest professional baseball team in America. I liked the story about the 15 year old Joe Nuxhall who pitched for the Red's during WWII.
Sources cite for my report was wikipedia
Alexandria... Your essay was really informative and very interesting. Its really something that the team had five different names. I certainly didn't know that. And all quite interesting names. I don't really know anything about them so it's cool that you did your essay on them I learned something I didn't know :)... Great job as usual.
ReplyDeleteGreat essay Elena. I find your essay informative and well written. I don't really like baseball I find it very boring to watch but I would still love to go see a professional game. It's cool that you got to go see them. I have never seen a professional or even a college team play a sport of any kind in person. So i definitely think It'd be cool to go see one and sit with and cheer with all the other fans. I don't know much about the Reds but know I can say I know at least a little more.. Again good job!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite sport is baseball and my favorite sports team is the New York Yankees. The Yankees played there first game April 22, 1903. You may not know this but the Yankees were known as the highlanders until 1913 when they made the deal to play there games at the Polo Grounds. Since that deal they have been known as the Yankees. 1920- the Yankees make a deal that will forever more change the history of sports. The Yankees, who had not yet won a single title, make a deal with five world series winners the Boston Red Sox. They made a deal to buy Babe Ruth from Boston for $125,000 and put a $300,000 payment against the loan on Fenway Park. After this deal the New York Yankees went on to be one of the best franchises in baseball history. 1923- The Yankees had been sharing the Polo Grounds with the Giants since 1923 and were now finally at home in the brand new Yankee Stadium. 1927 Yankees, this team has been ranked baseballs greatest team ever. Leading the league in batting average, slugging, and Babe Ruth hitting a record breaking 60 hr. Babe Ruth would not when the mvp though, it would go to Lou Gehrig who drove in 173 runs and batted .373. 1973- The Yankees when there sixth world series title putting them ahead of Boston. 1941- Lou Gehrig dies of disease exactly 16 years since his career began. I'm going to skip forward to my favorite player. May 29, 1995 the debut of Derrick Jeter. In 1996 Derrick Jeter win Rookie of the Year. 2008-The 85th season at Yankee stadium was its last with new Yankee stadium being built across the road. GO YANKEES!
ReplyDeleteChristian,
ReplyDeleteGreat essay, your essay was very good and informative. I'm not the biggest Lakers fan in the world, mostly because I hate Kobe Bryant, but still your essay was really good. Great Job!
Camden,
Camden I hated your essay, because I hate the steelers. I do not find the steelers to be an elite team at all, I don't care how many superbowl championships they have won. Your essay was very informative, but I hated your topic.
Camden, I tend to cheer for the team that usually wins so the Steelers definitely have my attention. I think it’s cool that they were once called the Pirates. It seems like they were stealing things from the beginning. While I’ve always thought that the Steelers play rough, I still have to admire them for winning so many times as I’m sure we all do.
ReplyDeletePaco, your essay was pretty cool. I like how you mentioned Romans and the Coliseum, the Greeks and The Games. People have always been intrigued by competition and the glory of winning a game. We all like to have one moment in the spotlight and for most it seems to be with a touchdown. I have to say, despite the fact that soccer is the most popular sport in the world, I really don’t like it. I suppose I have a tendency to dislike things I’m not good at.
Essay from Jerome,
ReplyDeletethis week I will tell you something about my most favorite topic:The sport! I'm a very sport fan!! I like to do sports because
it is just fun, physical and intense activities. I think people like to do sports so much, because of the condition. Also to be social to find friends,
to find their borders and to get a better body.
My essay is about the boston Red Sox team. I chose that team because I have some family there. Actually my brother is living there.
Usually Baseball is not my sport. I just think it is boring and nothing is happening during the game. But it might can change
after this essay. My favorite sports are soccer, handball and golf. But I'm starting to like basketball as well.
But back to the Red Sox...
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team and a member of the Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division.
The team is from Boston. The home stadium is called „Fenway Park". It has been there since 1912. The name Red Sox came
and invented from John I. Taylor after the 1907 season. Although the strongest fan base comes from the northeastern of the
United States, but there are also a large number of fans scattered across the United States. All togther it calls "Red Sox Nation.
"Boston was a dominant team in the new league, defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first World Series in 1903.
Their also won four more championsships.
Billy tha Squid, I lovee baseball! It is absolutely my favoriate sport of all tyme. Even though I wrote in my essay about Hockey. But Baseball is the bomb. Anyways, you essay was really good, I liked all of the information, I didn’t know the history behind the Yankees which is kinda kool to know now. Good essay!
ReplyDeleteGuffey, your essay was really good! I had no idea that the Red Socks used to e called the stockings. That’s really kool. I like the part where you talked about the “Black Sock Sandal,” seems appropriate to call em black instead of white lol. Great essay, I loveddd it!
Simon,” I think people are sports fans because sport is exciting and it brings glory,” I think you are totally right. It reminds me of the Olympics or something. All sports seem to bring glory and fame to that star of the sport. I loveddd your essay.
Megan_kiser13, Great essay! I really like your essay since it’s on the Pittsburgh Steelers. It was really good to know more about this team. I don’t know much about football teams so it was good to know more about one of the many that exist! Again, Great essay!
ReplyDeleteEmily C., Really good essay! I am like you, I am not really a sport person, but I get to know a little about American sports since I’m here. I really enjoyed reading your essay. And I really like basket ball so it was interesting reading about the UK basket ball team. I really like your idea on why people like sports. I also don’t have that much idea on why they would but I guess they can be proud of their state or town or even school if they win. Again, great essay. I really enjoyed reading what you opinion.
Private Elijah,
ReplyDeleteWow you don’t like sports? Come on every American likes sports. This just mean that you havnt found a real sport that you like, and no professional bull riding is not a sport. I don’t care how much you beg and plead for it to be, it just isn’t a sport and that’s that. Also you stated that it isn’t fair for those who didn’t have “that kind of air.” Well its actually a disadvantage when you think about it. If they practice in “their air” then they are use to not having to hit the ball as hard to get it to go where they want. However the other teams in new York as you say are use to hitting the ball with that little extra umph to get the ball going. So therefore when they traveling teams come to Coors Stadium they can hit the ball even farther than normally would be able to.
Lauren33,
Great essay! I have already reached the word requirement and im tired so I will end with this. I agree TENNESSE STINKS!!!!!!!
Well I guess I’ll be the one to be a little different on this assignment. It seems as though most people have chosen basketball, baseball, or football. And I do love all of those sports, but I’ve played softball since I was about six. So for this homework I chose the USA softball team.
ReplyDeleteSome people think that softball isn’t that intense or hard of a game to play. Well take our pitching for an example. With baseball you basically just throw it as hard as you can in the strike zone over hand. But in softball, you have to wind your arm around like a windmill or something and jump forward to get the maximum speed behind that ball. Jennie Finch may make it look easy, but it’s quite hard actually.
It’s kinda hard to explain why I like sports. I wasn’t made by anyone to play sports, no one told me I should try sports, I just asked my parents if I could play softball one day. It’s just part of my personality and who I am. I remember dreaming about being on the USA softball team when I was little. But of course, that will never happen. Unless by some miracle I obtain the skills of Stacey Nuveman (USA Catcher) or Jackie Tarulli-Fisher (DePaul Catcher).
In 1996 the USA softball team recieved their first gold medal in the olympic games. They defeated China for this medal in the 3-1 game. The USA team has always been a expected winner at the Olympic games. And in the past years many new, amazing players have joined the team. One of these players is Cat Osterman. After she graduated from her highschool she was invited to play on the USA softball team. She attended the University of Texas and as a freshman pitched a perfect game. This was the first in the history for this university. Cat Osterman is an amzing player and her team, USA softball is an outstanding team.
My links were: http://www.catosterman.com/about-me
ReplyDeleteand
http://www.usasoftball.com/folders.asp?uid=153
and then some of it was what i already knew
Well first of all. Laruen, you're last statement in your last paragraph is offensive to me. I assume this is why you said it. Therefore, I don't like you. Just kidding. But overall you did have a good essay. I'm not a big fan of the Lakers, in fact I'm not a fan of many professional teams. But if I had to choose a team to cheer for it would be the Celtics. Mostly because of Rajon Rondo. Yes, I know he is a former UK player. But as Mr. Hutchinson asked me the other day, "Are you the ex-UK fan?" That says it all. So I do like some UK players, just not all of them. Rondo is a good player, so I like him. But anyways, good essay Lauren.
ReplyDeleteAbbie, I liked your essay. Out of all the people who wrote about professional teams. The Panthers are the only ones I kind of like. Your essay was good. Good Job.