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Jeff Jacobs was born in Kirkwood, Mo., and grew up in Newport, R.I. He got a degree from University of Missouri School of Journalism, then ...
Jeff Jacobs: Yankees Cash Out On Jacoby Ellsbury Faster Than Expected
October 7, 2015
NEW YORK — When the Yankees stuffed $153 million into Jacoby Ellsbury's pockets, they weren't counting on sitting him during their first postseason game in three years.
Even Back In Storrs, Billy Eppler Knew He Wanted To Be An MLB GM
October 5, 2015
Another Half-Baked Jake (October seamhead edition):
By Cursing In Media, Geno Takes It A Little Too Far
October 4, 2015
I was sitting in a hospital bed this past week when I listened to Geno Auriemma's 71-minute appearance on a Grantland podcast moderated by Zach Lowe. Had a return of some heart vessel problems, yada, yada. Don't want to bore you.
After 3 Poor Seasons, It Was Time For Anne Donovan To Go
October 1, 2015
It was a bad hire.
Patriots' Only Turnover Is With Brady's Milestone Ball
September 27, 2015
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The game was never in doubt. The football? Now that properly inflated football was in doubt.
Beyond Precision, It's Military Perfection
September 26, 2015
EAST HARTFORD — They were just too perfect for too long. Yeah, Army runs the triple option. For far too long Saturday, Navy was the triple option.
Sun, WNBA Teams Bound To Chase 'Seattle Stew'
September 24, 2015
BRISTOL — Mitchell Etess, who knows his way around a casino floor better than anyone, knew the odds weren't good. At 17.8 percent, in fact, they were roughly 5-to-1 against Breanna Stewart being one of the starting five introduced at the 2016 Sun opener.
Yogi Berra: Talented, Lovable, Funny And Brilliant
September 23, 2015
This was nearly 50 years ago, before I ever heard, "It ain't over till it's over," or "Nobody ever goes there anymore, it's too crowded." Before all those malapropisms pushed those who didn't know better toward an impression Yogi Berra was more a cartoon character than a national treasure.
OK, So Maybe Bob Diaco Isn't That Wacky After All
September 22, 2015
STORRS — On a day when news broke that UConn will be among a handful of schools that will count toward the Big Ten's requirement of playing one nonconference Power Five football team per season, something Teddy Roosevelt once said sprang to mind.
Change? Giants Find Themselves A Quarter Short Again
September 20, 2015
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Odell Beckham Jr. had 139 receiving yards before halftime. One of his six first-half catches went for a 67-yard touchdown. Another one, an over-the-head, fingertip grab for 26 yards, was so spectacular that it immediately drew comparison to another New York Giant.
One Trick Too Many For Coach Diaco's Huskies?
September 19, 2015
COLUMBIA, Mo. — After Mizzou's and the SEC's collective ego had been appropriately deflated in what may have been the nuttiest 9-6 game of the 21st century, there would be no argument here on Bob Diaco eschewing a potential overtime and trying to win outright.
Joe Morrone, Patriarch Of Connecticut Soccer, Feisty To The End
September 18, 2015
On the day his dad died, Bill Morrone held up well. He talked with Joe D'Ambrosio on WTIC. He returned texts and calls and emails from friends and old teammates. Everyone wanted to offer their condolences. Bill, his brother, Joe Jr., his sister, Melissa, all the Morrones are insisting on celebrating Joe Morrone's rich, full life.
Switch Hitter: UConn's Bruising Matt Walsh Goes From FB To LB
September 16, 2015
STORRS — Bob Diaco sees himself in Matt Walsh. Matt Walsh? He sees himself in the position he belongs.
No Luck At Casino For Snakebitten Connecticut Sun
September 14, 2015
UNCASVILLE — Camille Little threw her sneakers into the casino stands Sunday after the season finale against the Chicago Sky, but at no point this summer did the Sun throw in the towel.
Big Papi's Numbers Don't Lie, But Did He?
September 14, 2015
If a career's worth of unforgettable and decisive autumn home runs was the criteria, David Ortiz would be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. If bringing joy to an entire region, if lifting the spirits of a city after a terrorist bombing, if taking the absurd notion of a curse and smashing it into smithereens was the criteria, Ortiz would be a unanimous choice for Cooperstown.
This Time, Triple Option Doesn't Trip Them Up
September 12, 2015
EAST HARTFORD — The same guys who got trampled in New York last November did a fine job stopping the triple option this time.
Another Hazing Incident, And More Unanswered Questions
September 12, 2015
There was an alleged hazing incident involving UConn women's hockey players in the fall of 2014.
Jeff Jacobs: Brady, Fans Pump Up The Night
September 11, 2015
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — He ran onto the field for warm-ups at 7:45 p.m., larger than life on the video screen, yet not nearly as large as he is in New England lore.
Jeff Jacobs: In Serena Vs. Venus Showdown, Little Sister Comes Up Big
September 8, 2015
NEW YORK — They waited outside the gates, some patiently, many impatiently, for the men's quarterfinal match between Marin Cilic and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga to end. They waited in lines thick with humanity and thicker with 87 degree heat and 60 percent humidity.
Rickie Fowler And The Rise Of Golf's 20-Somethings
September 7, 2015
NORTON, MASS. — Rickie Fowler has that lucrative Cobra-Puma endorsement. Rickie has those wild orange outfits and those signature caps. Rickie has the Leonardo DiCaprio looks. Rickie has swimsuit model Alexis Randcock as his girlfriend.
Jeff Jacobs: In Battle Of His Life, Danny Deitz Inspires Simsbury
September 5, 2015
The call could come in five minutes or five months. Danny Deitz will have four hours to get from Simsbury to Boston Children's Hospital. There will be a heart and there will be a heart transplant.
Myers A Breath Of Fresh Air For Huskies
September 4, 2015
EAST HARTFORD — His mom holds the UConn women's basketball record for most rebounds in a game. That would be 25 on Feb. 19, 1986, against Pittsburgh.
Goodell A Humiliated Loser As Brady Gets Another Win
September 3, 2015
When Roger Goodell looks in the mirror today, admiring that face, he no longer will see Julius Caesar, Alexander the Great or Napoleon. The NFL commissioner will see a mortal man, a vulnerable man, one who could be taken down at any moment by Julius Peppers, Frank Alexander, the next Napoleon McCallum or any other NFL union member.
Jeff Jacobs: Our Detour To Big-Time Football
September 3, 2015
I still have the paper with my mom's writing, making sure her boy found the right dorm when he arrived at college a half-continent away from our Rhode Island home. My mom is gone now and so is Smith Hall at the University of Missouri, built in 1961, demolished in 2004, but Faurot Field, directly across Stadium Boulevard, remains.
Jeff Jacobs: Who Wasn't On First At Fenway Wednesday?
September 2, 2015
BOSTON — In the Bizarro World game of "who's on first," it's probably best to start with who wasn't on first base Wednesday as the Yankees out-blasted and outlasted the Red Sox, 13-8, at Fenway Park.
Rock Cats Leave Behind New Britain And An Angry Mayor
August 30, 2015
NEW BRITAIN — Team owner Josh Solomon took an overnight flight from Tel Aviv to get to the final Rock Cats game in New Britain Stadium history on Sunday. New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart has been here since her fourth-grade birthday party.
After Pharoah's Loss, Owner Might Retire Him
August 29, 2015
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — Maybe it was jet lag. Maybe it was because he got bumped a half-dozen times. Maybe the great horse simply had an off day. Or maybe American Pharoah spent too much of his champion's spirit fending off Frosted.
Matt Harvey Has State Fans Seeing Stars
August 29, 2015
NEW YORK — On a night when Matt Harvey reminded us again how great his career could be, SNY threw up a picture of a young Harvey in a Red Sox uniform and reminded Connecticut that it beats with three baseball hearts.
When Whippersnappers Cross The Line
August 28, 2015
NEW HAVEN — That thin line where intensity meets discretion was in no danger of being crossed. Not on this Thursday night. This was an exhibition match meant for teasing each other and pleasing the crowd at the Connecticut Tennis Center.
Like His Dad, UConn Emerging Star Noel Thomas Makes No Excuses
August 26, 2015
STORRS — As the son of a football coach, Noel Thomas listened to his father's words. He even wrote some of them down.
McEnroes Believe Serena Ready For Calendar Grand Slam
August 25, 2015
NEW HAVEN — John McEnroe, age 56, told Jimmy Kimmel recently he could beat Serena Williams. Yet as many of the top female players in the world gathered this week for the Connecticut Open, McEnroe and his brother Patrick gave little hope Tuesday that anyone would rise up and stop Serena's bid for the first calendar Grand Slam in 27 years.
Jeff Jacobs: Friends Like Francona Help Fight The Toughest Battles
August 22, 2015
BOSTON — As newspaper people, sometimes we chase the story and sometimes the story chases us and won't let go.
Crazy Or Genius? Coach In Arkansas Has Revolutionary Football Approach
August 21, 2015
Featured in the latest segment of "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel," Kevin Kelley was talking about the hundreds of coaches from pros to high school who have called him about his evolutionary, perhaps revolutionary, views on football.
Jeff Jacobs: It Was Time For Sox To Bring In Dombrowski And Clean House
August 19, 2015
BOSTON — On June 2, Red Sox owner John Henry insisted Ben Cherington would be his general manager for "a very long time." A very long time turned out to be 77 days.
Nerwinski Won't Tolerate Anything But Perfection For UConn Soccer
August 18, 2015
STORRS — After it was over, after the UConn soccer team had missed the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 17 years, Jake Nerwinski gathered his teammates in his dorm room.
Matt Barnes Has His Moments For Red Sox, But So Do Indians
August 18, 2015
BOSTON — As luck would have it, Jim Penders wrote in a text to Matt Barnes on Sunday, he has tickets to the Indians-Red Sox game at Fenway Park Tuesday night.
Jeff Jacobs: What Bob Diaco Builds Vital To UConn, Not Just UConn Football
August 17, 2015
EAST HARTFORD — As Bob Diaco approached reporters Saturday after a dawdling UConn football scrimmage, one that established that, yes, the defense is again ahead of the offense, it was evident the Huskies coach also had grown more than a trace of stubble.
David Price's Struggles Vs. Yankees Appear Over
August 8, 2015
NEW YORK — As David Price spoke softly, coolly Saturday after turning up the heat on the American League East pennant race, a small piece of yellow notebook paper fluttered from the top of his locker.
Sabathia Gives Red Sox Reminder Of Good Old CC Days
August 6, 2015
NEW YORK — Bases loaded, perspiration dripping from the brim of his cap, CC Sabathia girded for his moment of defiance Thursday night at Yankee Stadium. He had just dropped in two breaking pitches for strikes on David Ortiz when he peered in for the sign from catcher John Ryan Murphy.
Jeff Jacobs: Luis Severino Shows Yankees Their Future
August 5, 2015
NEW YORK — He jogged to the Yankee Stadium mound at 7:05 Wednesday night, bringing along a 97 mph fastball, a nasty change and a developing slider. At 21 years, 166 days, Luis Severino was more than the youngest pitcher to start a major league game this season.
Talk Is Cheap! AAC Needs To Make On-Field Statement
August 5, 2015
NEWPORT, R.I. — In his football media day speech last year, American Athletic Conference commissioner Mike Aresco quoted St. Francis of Assisi, Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill and Michelangelo. This year, in the continuing pursuit of demonstrating his conference's fight and vision, Aresco quoted Larry McHugh.
KML Learning What WNBA Game Is About
August 1, 2015
UNCASVILLE — As one three-pointer after another dropped for four unrelenting UConn seasons, the question was there. As Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis terrorized one campus after another with the most devastating perimeter shot in college history, the question remained.
KML Learning What WNBA Game Is About
July 31, 2015
UNCASVILLE — As one three-pointer after another dropped for four unrelenting UConn seasons, the question were there. As Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis terrorized one campus after another with the most devastating perimeter shot in college history, the question remained.
Cell And Bye — Brady Deserves To Sit After Destroying Phone
July 28, 2015
Tom Brady had his cellphone destroyed and only the most ardent of Brady apologists would argue today that his credibility in Deflategate wasn't destroyed in the process.
Pedro Delivers Another Gem In Cooperstown
July 26, 2015
COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. — Three hours into a long Sunday afternoon walk into baseball immortality, Pedro Martinez decided he was going to break protocol. He called Juan Marichal forward from among the 49 seated Hall of Famers.
When Maya Moore Gets That Look, Just Look Out
July 25, 2015
UNCASVILLE — All-Star Game or no All-Star Game, a huge moment and a big stage or a small moment and nobody else around on the UConn campus, Tina Charles knows the Maya Moore look.
Male Or Female, Coaching Is A Mental Game
July 24, 2015
UNCASVILLE — As part of a wide-ranging preseason poll, WNBA general managers were asked what active player would someday make the best head coach. Lindsay Whalen finished second, Kara Lawson third.
Weekend For Fame (Pedro); Season Of Blame (Cherington)
July 24, 2015
During a week when Red Sox fans cannot wait to hear what Pedro Martinez will say, they also cannot wait to see what Ben Cherington will do.
I Was Wrong: Name 'Yard Goats' No Longer Gnaws At Me
July 21, 2015
Turns out Chuck Domino, the sage consultant in the oft silly dynamics of minor league baseball, was right in March.
Jacobs: Hartford NHL Team This Year? Dream On
July 18, 2015
After Commissioner Gary Bettman made the NHL expansion process official in late June, we waited. And we waited. If a potential owner is planning to submit a bid for Hartford before the Monday deadline, he's doing an incredible job hiding.
Randy Couture, Bellator MMA Card, Back At Mohegan Sun
July 15, 2015
Randy Couture flew to New York on Tuesday, was lined up with a number of media outlets to promote Bellator 140 on Wednesday and was scheduled to hop in a car and arrive in Connecticut hours later.
Jeff Jacobs: Supporting Role A New Frontier For Asjha Jones
July 14, 2015
UNCASVILLE — In her first return to Mohegan Sun Arena since the final game of the 2012 Eastern Conference finals, Asjha Jones saw plenty of familiar faces. Yes, plenty of familiar faces and familiar things.
History Points 'Nowhere' For Red Sox's Season
July 12, 2015
BOSTON — If you had been told before the start of this, um, interesting American League East season that Brock Holt and Brett Gardner would be All-Star Game representatives for the Red Sox and Yankees, would you have believed it? Of course not.
Jeff Jacobs: No Rainbow For Paul Casey As Bubba Is Crowned In Cromwell Again
June 28, 2015
CROMWELL — The rain finally stopped Sunday, but the only rainbow Paul Casey would find was the one in his wife, Pollyanna's, hair.
Jeff Jacobs: DeLaet Returns To Familiar Spot, Looking For His First Victory
June 27, 2015
CROMWELL — Graham DeLaet has been here before. He has been in the final pairing of the Travelers Championship. He has been tied with Bubba Watson going into the last 18 holes.
Scott Brown Hopes To Be A World Traveler After Travelers
June 26, 2015
CROMWELL — Scott Brown was born at University Hospital in Augusta, Ga., on May 22, 1983. Asked how far he grew up from Augusta National, he smiled and like a true golfer he gave a precise distance.
Solid Start Gives Garrigus Hope He Can Turn Game Around
June 25, 2015
CROMWELL — He hit an 8-iron from 183 yards to within 2 feet to set up a birdie on the fourth hole. The ball never left the flag, Robert Garrigus said, it was straight, it was flush.
Jeff Jacobs: Streelman Teams With Travelers To Grant Young Fan's Wish
June 24, 2015
CROMWELL — Behind her was the news that every mother fears most. Ahead of her, yes, ahead of Jennifer Couch on this Wednesday was the most beautiful sight in the world.
Billy Horschel: Did He Go Too Far In Criticism Last Weekend?
June 23, 2015
CROMWELL — Billy Horschel only swore once Tuesday. He swore he didn't bash his putter into the sixth green Sunday at Chambers Bay during the final round of the U.S. Open.
Cancer-Stricken Joe Morrone Once Again Preparing His Guys
June 20, 2015
Joe Morrone called the boys together maybe for the last time a few weeks ago. UConn soccer held a tournament fundraiser at Lake of Isles Golf Club. Morrone knew a number of his former players would be there, men who still support Ray Reid's program.
With 3,000, A-Rod Joins Infamous Club
June 20, 2015
NEW YORK — We knock and the handsome man in pinstripes pulls open the clubhouse door. There they are. All 28 of them, the greatest hitters in major league history.
Hope Solo? She Might Be A Mess, But She's America's Mess
June 18, 2015
Hope Solo has become the most important sports story of 2015.
Jeff Jacobs: Hartford Whalers Alumni All Over Pro Hockey Coaching Ranks
June 18, 2015
In a dash of hockey serendipity, the last coach in Ray Ferraro's 19-season NHL career turned out to be longtime Whalers teammate Joel Quenneville.
Red Sox Finally Shine After Gloomy Week
June 16, 2015
BOSTON — In this season of seemingly endless Red Sox embarrassments, nobody had embarrassed John Farrell any worse than Wade Miley had in his previous start.
Stress Of Championship Game Is Nothing To Southington Coach Davina Hernandez
June 13, 2015
STRATFORD — Her mouth grew dry. And then her mouth grew drier. If your team is down four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning of the state championship and a 69-game winning streak is on the line, whose mouth wouldn't grow dry, right?
The Dreams Come True For Sheehan
June 13, 2015
MIDDLETOWN — As Buddy Dewaine walked to the mound Friday night, Montville on the front of his uniform and the Chinese symbol for faith on the back of his cap, he brought more than a fastball to the Class M title game against Sheehan-Wallingford.
Jack McDonald Proud Of What He Built At Quinnipiac
June 10, 2015
HAMDEN — He sat there alone Wednesday, watching, listening, at the top row of the lower bowl at TD Bank Sports Center. After Quinnipiac President John Lahey had introduced the school's new athletic director and Greg Amodio had spoken of his own hopes and dreams, there they were climbing the steps toward Jack McDonald.
Bob Diaco's Actions Might Be More Embarrassing For UConn Than 2-10 Season
June 10, 2015
Bob Diaco said he's putting a target on Central Florida, but, really, he is putting a target on his own back.
Jeff Jacobs: Weaver's Doyley Sprints On In Memory Of Barnaby
June 8, 2015
NEW BRITAIN — Coach Andre Shreeves was with his Weaver track team at practice in late March when the phone rang. It was former coach Lee Hunt, and to this day, Shreeves said he still couldn't believe what he was hearing.
Jeff Jacobs: 'Pharoah' Ends Generation Drought
June 6, 2015
ELMONT, N.Y. — He grabbed the lead and then this gentle bay colt grabbed America's heart. In the late afternoon shadows of New York, with the thunder of 90,000 racing fans urging him on to history, American Pharoah did what no horse had done in a generation of humans.
'Pharoah' Ends Generation Drought
June 6, 2015
ELMONT, N.Y. — He grabbed the lead and then this gentle bay colt grabbed America's heart. In the late afternoon shadows of New York, with the thunder of 90,000 racing fans urging him on to history, American Pharoah did what no horse had done in a generation of humans.
Sun's Injuries Lead To Uncertainty
June 5, 2015
UNCASVILLE — There are questions, so many questions with the 2015 Connecticut Sun. We do know this much now. Their young star will not play this season.
Bruce Jenner Was My Idol, But Caitlyn Is Even More Impressive
June 4, 2015
I once sat in judgment of Bruce Jenner.
Jeff Jacobs: Rodriguez Brightens Bleak Season For Sox Fans
June 3, 2015
BOSTON — The losses heaped on losses, oh, they have taken thousands of words and so much radio air time to dissect. The Red Sox wins? Sometimes they need only one word.
The World's Game, Brought To You By Organized Crime
June 2, 2015
The world is a corrupt place. Soccer is the world's game.
UConn, AAC Can Only Watch As Power 5 Conferences Cash In
June 1, 2015
The numbers, oh yes, those pesky numbers. In various shapes and dollar signs, the financials of major college sports trickled out in the past week.
For Rangers, Heartbeat Was Broken
May 30, 2015
NEW YORK — Every Game 7 has a life of its own. Every Game 7 has a heartbeat. You can hear it. You can feel it.
Maybe Baffert Has Run Out Of Ways To Lose Triple Crown
May 28, 2015
He has guaranteed Belmont victory and lost. He has not guaranteed Belmont victory and lost.
Jeff Jacobs: McIlrath's Hits A Bright Spot, But Wolf Pack Swept Away
May 27, 2015
HARTFORD — The Wolf Pack's 18th AHL season in Hartford ended at 9:15 Wednesday night. Save for Dylan McIlrath's arena-shaking hits, their best playoff run since 2004 would end with too little noise in the Eastern Conference finals.
Time To Change Tradition Of Triple Crown's 5-Week Format
May 26, 2015
As Penny Chenery and Ron Turcotte spoke of Secretariat on Tuesday afternoon, these fingers found the YouTube clip of the 1973 Belmont Stakes. Big Red didn't drive for the finish line that Saturday, Turcotte corrected a caller, he cruised to his legendary 31-length triumph.
Wolf Pack-Rangers Affiliation A Perfect Fit For Hartford
May 17, 2015
NEW YORK — The story lines are lush. They start with Ryan Callahan, the former Rangers captain, playing nearly 15 minutes for Tampa Bay only five days after undergoing an emergency appendectomy.
Hrivik, Always Solid For Wolf Pack, Breaks Out Offense
May 15, 2015
The last time he scored two goals in a playoff game, Marek Hrivik barely knew where Hartford was on the map. He was a 20-year-old undrafted free agent with one foot on a flight from Canada that was supposed to land him in Vienna on his way home to Slovakia.
A Pledge Ovechkin Couldn't Keep
May 14, 2015
NEW YORK — They played seven games. And it still wasn't enough.
Penalties Are Too Harsh, But No Sympathy For Brady Or Pats
May 12, 2015
Tom Brady and the Patriots probably didn't get what they deserved. They certainly got what they asked for.
No Clowning, Wolf Pack Remain Confident After Loss In Worcester
May 10, 2015
WORCESTER — They have no time to sulk. They have no time to pout. They have no time to put on one of those sad clown faces and feel sorry for themselves.
WNBA Must Show Backbone To Deal With Isiah Thomas, Brittney Griner
May 9, 2015
Sexual harasser Isiah Thomas: President and part-owner of the New York Liberty.
Rangers Won't Let Caps Break Through Garden Ice
May 8, 2015
NEW YORK — They were less than two minutes away from elimination. Less than two minutes away from a month's worth of bemoaning bad fortune. Less than two minutes away from an entire offseason of wondering what happened to their Presidents' Trophy-winning season.
Brady Guilty? Depends Which Way Your Loyalty Needle Points
May 6, 2015
Let's start with Tom Brady's initial response to reports that the Patriots used deflated football games in the AFC Championship Game against the Colts. Brady laughed that January morning. And he kept on chuckling. He called it "ridiculous."
Minor Adjustment: Wolf Pack Under The Big Top In Worcester
May 5, 2015
CROMWELL — As anyone in any sport will tell you: You do what you have to do in the playoffs.
Avon Judge Weighs In On His Mayweather-Pacquiao Call
May 3, 2015
There was a moment when the scores were announced late Saturday night at MGM Grand that Glenn Feldman admits tears came to his eyes.
Jeff Jacobs: A Great Day Of Deeply Flawed Athletes
May 2, 2015
BOSTON — Blake Swihart took his position behind home plate for his major league debut at 1:35 p.m. Saturday, a day proclaimed in advance by pop culturists as the most incredible in sports history.
Unlike Aaron Hernandez, Byron Jones Makes Connecticut Proud
May 1, 2015
When NFL commissioner Roger Goodell called out his name as the 27th pick in the first round of the NFL draft, four words crossed my mind:
Keen Ice Brings A Connecticut Connection To Kentucky Derby
April 30, 2015
In a sport where bloodlines mean just about everything, there is no Dosage Index for thoroughbred owners. Some are born into game. Some are bred at the track. Whether rich in finance or rich in dreams, the rest simply cannot resist the bugle "Call To Post."
Danis, Wolf Pack Ready For Decisive Game Friday Vs. Bruins
April 29, 2015
This was before Ken Gernander had hung up his skates, before Yann Danis had stopped a shot for Brown University. This was in 2000, the spring the Wolf Pack captured their only Calder Cup against Rochester.
Celtics Leave Nothing In The Tank
April 26, 2015
BOSTON — The game ended with a nasty streak running down its parquet spine. The season ended with the Celtics showing plenty of fight, showing no quit and showing they still need to get better at basketball.
Matt Harvey Stands His Ground Against Yankees
April 25, 2015
NEW YORK — Terry Collins knew it was coming. He couldn't let himself care. He most certainly didn't allow himself to seriously consider what Matt Harvey had to say after Collins had made the long walk out to the pitcher's mound at Yankee Stadium.
Rangers Get A Break With OT Win
April 24, 2015
NEW YORK — The Rangers played 20 of a possible 21 games in the first three rounds of the 2014 Stanley Cup playoffs. They would win each one of those series, including fighting back from a 3-1 series deficit against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Celtics Aren't Intimidated, Just Overmatched
April 23, 2015
BOSTON — After Game 2 of this opening-round series, after the Cavaliers had done the expected and taken both games in Cleveland, Jae Crowder was asked if he found 7-foot Russian Timofey Mozgov intimidating.
Taking Ollie At His Word — Why Wouldn't We?
April 22, 2015
He can't turn around and take the Oklahoma City Thunder job now without coming off as disingenuous, devious and deceitful. Kevin Ollie hasn't been known as that kind of man. He wouldn't take the escalator to skip the staircase of honesty.
Desisa To Keep This Medal; Meb Just Wants A Hand To Hold
April 20, 2015
BOSTON — He returned his winner's medal last time. Two months after the Tsarnaev brothers decided hate was the answer, Lelisa Desisa decided hate was no answer at all.
Allyson Fournier Has Perfect Outlook
April 18, 2015
HARTFORD — She had been the essence of efficiency to this point. Allyson Fournier needed only 56 pitches to get 14 outs Saturday, striking out 10 Trinity Bantams, throwing four total balls.
Sun's Not Getting KML Is Probably For The Best
April 16, 2015
UNCASVILLE — Given the serious injury to their most important player, they could miss the WNBA playoffs again this coming season. But say this for the Connecticut Sun. They could be the smartest 16-18 team in women's professional basketball history.
Aaron Hernandez: Eyes Dead, Heart Dead, Soul Dead
April 16, 2015
As Ursula Ward approached the court to speak words never to be forgotten, Aaron Hernandez sat there Wednesday, lips pursed, eyes dead, heart dead, soul dead. At that moment, I found myself yelling at the television screen, "Stand up for that poor woman, Hernandez, you sorry excuse for a human being!"
Even Without His Best Stuff, Harvey Stars For Mets
April 14, 2015
NEW YORK — His right elbow sound, his eyes ablaze, Matt Harvey bounded to the pitcher's mound at 7:09 p.m. Tuesday for his first home start since Aug. 24, 2013.
Mookie Betts Steals Show In Red Sox Home Opener
April 13, 2015
BOSTON — Sunglasses, backward cap, sweater tied around his waist, Tom Brady emerged Monday from behind the huge American flag draped over the left field wall at Fenway Park. Brady was joined in the march to the pitcher's mound by Robert Kraft, Jonathan Kraft and Bill Belichick. Together, they carried the Patriots' four Lombardi trophies as Super Bowl champions.
Jeff Jacobs: In Affirming Stability Of Women's Game, Geno Hints At The End
April 12, 2015
HARTFORD — Athletic director Warde Manuel said UConn never tires of championship parades. Sen. Chris Murphy said they have become as much an annual tradition in Hartford as the St. Patrick's Day Parade.
Jacobs: Watch Shirreffs' Arm, Beware Of His Feet
April 11, 2015
EAST HARTFORD — He played running back in last year's spring game at North Carolina State. He hadn't played quarterback in an organized game before Saturday since Nov. 16, 2013, in the Wolfpack's 38-21 loss at Boston College.
As Alex Rodriguez Demonstrates, It Takes A Long Time To Judge True Greatness
April 11, 2015
NEW YORK — John Farrell was talking Friday about what it would be like to look out at Yankee Stadium and not see No. 2 in pinstripes. He was talking about how people of the present-day generation always would associate the Yankees with Derek Jeter and vice versa.
Auriemma And Wooden: Relentlessly Chasing Perfection
April 8, 2015
TAMPA, Fla. — The insult is not in comparing Geno Auriemma to John Wooden. The insult is not to compare Geno Auriemma and John Wooden.
As UConn Comes Down The Stretch, Tuck Surges To Front
April 6, 2015
TAMPA, Fla. — Besieged by questions about superior talent, sustained excellence and great rivalries, Geno Auriemma had a few questions of his own Monday.
Jeff Jacobs: UConn Vs. N.D. Perfect Ending For Tournament
April 6, 2015
TAMPA, Fla. —Notre Dame is the only team in the nation that can score enough points to have any chance to beat UConn on Tuesday night. So for those outside the borders of a tiny New England state, getting Notre Dame into the national championship game is needed. Badly needed.
Jeff Jacobs: Lawson Speaks College Basketball, Unabashedly
April 4, 2015
TAMPA, Fla. — This dominant UConn team may not even be one of the three best in program history … If John Calapari wants to talk team, team, team, he ought to have his players stay for four years and maybe he'll reach Geno Auriemma's level …
It's A Special Time For Trinity Athletics
April 3, 2015
Mike Renwick was sitting in the lobby of the Boston hotel that Trinity stayed at on March 14. The bus was warm and about to leave for the Bantams' NCAA Division III basketball quarterfinal game against Babson.
There Simply Isn't Enough Money To Be Made In The WNBA
April 2, 2015
We will argue Breanna Stewart and Jewell Loyd in the coming hours.
Joke Of The Day: Geno Has Strong Words For Men's Game
April 2, 2015
He is right, of course. He often is. That doesn't mean a lot of people outside the women's game will appreciate Geno Auriemma's remarks Wednesday about the state of play in men's college basketball.
Jeff Jacobs: Big Stories Brewing Around UConn, But Dayton Pushes Them To Backburner
March 30, 2015
ALBANY — Before there could be Tennessee, there had to be Dayton. Before there can be a resolution on whether there will be a Final Four in Indianapolis in 2016, there was the small matter of getting to the Final Four in Tampa, Fla., in 2015.
Spartans Will Themselves Into The Final Four
March 29, 2015
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The loss to UConn last year on the final Sunday in March cut deep. It cut a proud coach. It cut a proud Michigan State basketball program. UConn's greatest joy would give the returning Spartan players their greatest pain and eventually their greatest motivation.
Stewart, Huskies Skewer The Longhorns
March 28, 2015
ALBANY — There were stretches in the last 12 minutes of the first half and again in the first 10 minutes of the second half when all you could do was sit there, shake your head and wonder.
If Indiana Chooses To Exclude, Let's Exclude It From Sports
March 27, 2015
ALBANY — The year was 1985 and the NCAA women's Final Four was in Austin. Geno Auriemma remembers arriving at the University of Texas, looking around and thinking, "They have buildings bigger than our campus. It's another world."
Great Coaches? Don't Ever Count Out Tom Izzo
March 26, 2015
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Using the Jeff Jacobs eyeball metric, a metric not nearly as scientific as FiveThirtyEight over at ESPN, Rick Pitino is the best game manager in college basketball.
Blame Is Shared For Thin Crowd At KML Gampel Finale
March 24, 2015
STORRS — On her final night at Gampel Pavilion, the great sharpshooter, the greatest in the history of women's college basketball, hit five more three-pointers.
Jeff Jacobs: In Gampel Finale, Mosqueda-Lewis Deserved Better
March 24, 2015
STORRS — On her final night at Gampel Pavilion, the great sharpshooter, the greatest in the history of women's college basketball, hit five more three-pointers.
Capital Prep's Season Ends In Tears ... Happy Ones
March 22, 2015
UNCASVILLE — The tears streamed down the Capital Prep coach's face and Tammy Millsaps allowed this was the first time this had happened after a basketball game. Millsaps prides herself on demanding results. She prides herself on getting results.
Weaver's State Title Revives Glory Days
March 22, 2015
UNCASVILLE — In one of those coaching moments where history meets motivation, Reggie Hatchett showed his Weaver players a video highlight before the Class M state semifinals Tuesday night.
High School Hoops In Connecticut? Yep, Geno Has An Opinion
March 20, 2015
STORRS — Geno Auriemma is coach of the defending national college basketball champions. He remains coach of the Olympic gold medalists.
For Boatright, It Just Wasn't Worth The Risk
March 19, 2015
STORRS — If this had been the NCAA Tournament, Ryan Boatright would have played. If UConn hadn't been so maddeningly inconsistent this season, or if the Huskies had somehow run off four wins in four days in the AAC Tournament, yes, Boatright would have shouldered all the responsibility Wednesday night.
UConn Fans Take It On The 9 p.m. Chin Again ... Thanks TV, NCAA
March 17, 2015
STORRS — Kentucky men vs. the field? UConn women vs. the field? Who'd you take? This is the chic thing to debate, to argue in the hours before the men's and women's NCAA basketball tournaments.
No NCAA Joy For Boat, UConn
March 15, 2015
HARTFORD — Outside the UConn locker room, down the hall a few yards, the NCAA Tournament brackets were being unveiled on two large flat-screen televisions in the media area of the XL Center.
Daniel Hamilton Plays On In Grandmother's Memory
March 14, 2015
HARTFORD — Daniel Hamilton watched Ryan Boatright hit that crossover three-pointer on Octavius Ellis with two-tenths of a second left Friday night to beat Cincinnati, and the freshman from Los Angeles just couldn't contain himself.
UConn Corners Market In Clutch Tournament Guards
March 14, 2015
HARTFORD — Maybe he didn't break Octavius Ellis' ankles as badly as Kemba Walker broke Gary McGhee's ankles.
Boatright, Scorned, Looks To Prove 'Em Wrong
March 13, 2015
HARTFORD — This is Hartford. This isn't Memphis. This is 2015. This isn't 2014. Nobody got a Gibson guitar Thursday as a reward for being named American Athletic Conference coach of the year the way Cincinnati's Mick Cronin did last year.
Maintaining Tradition, Piper Has Led Central's Resurgence
March 10, 2015
NEW BRITAIN — Beryl Piper didn't want to talk about what a trip to the NCAA Tournament, the first in program history, would mean to her. There's an NEC Tournament semifinal Wednesday night against St. Francis Brooklyn at Detrick Gym, after all, and if Central Connecticut wins that one, there's a tournament final Sunday at Detrick, too.
Explanations And Apologies, But Hockey Playoffs Situation Still Looks Bad
March 8, 2015
Twitter is a loud, powerful medium. And when the tweeter is Bruins play-by-play voice Jack Edwards, who has been so wonderfully described as part Homer and part homer, Twitter is that much louder and more powerful.
30 Wins? UConn Does It Again
March 7, 2015
UNCASVILLE — Geno Auriemma's face lit up when we started talking about Yale's victory at Harvard on Friday night.
On Verge Of Dance, Yale Isn't Looking Back
March 6, 2015
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — The year was 1962, and Yale coach James Jones doesn't want to hear about it.
Quinnipiac Women Plan To Keep Running Through March
March 5, 2015
This is March and in March every sound and every sight means something in college basketball. For Tricia Fabbri and the Quinnipiac women's basketball team, there is a sound bite by Brenda Frese from 2013 and two pictures from Springfield last year that mean plenty.
These Hartford Baseball Names Are So Minor League
March 4, 2015
HARTFORD — It had to be a joke. It HAD to be a joke. It wasn't a joke. We all know minor league baseball is nothing if not an exercise in sports marketing, sports branding, sports marketing, sports branding, attract the kids, bring mom and dad, pet the mascot and did I say marketing and branding?
Sam, Schilling Both Stand Up To Bullies
March 3, 2015
HAMDEN — On a snowy night in early March bound to hear Michael Sam speak at Quinnipiac University, all I could think about was Curt Schilling.
A Tuned-Up Rodney Purvis Means Ferrari Beats The Mustangs
March 1, 2015
HARTFORD — Buoyed by the most important victory of the season, Kevin Ollie said nothing is more powerful than a changed mind. Then again, Ryan Boatright said Rodney Purvis played his finest game in a UConn uniform Sunday because he stopped thinking.
For Mosqueda-Lewis, A Perfect Kind Of Senior Day
February 28, 2015
STORRS — This would be the perfect afternoon for the perfect shooter.
Stokes Has Two Tough Guys, Both Father Figures, In Her Corner
February 28, 2015
STORRS — Kiah Stokes smiled mischievously when asked what she will say to Geno Auriemma when they hug at center court of Gampel Pavilion during Senior Day ceremonies Saturday.
Tyson Builds Foundation For UConn Hockey
February 26, 2015
STORRS — He is a building block. To look at Ryan Tyson, all of 5 feet 9 and 187 pounds, calling him one might seem like a reach. To look at his numbers, one goal and nine points in 33 games this season, it might seem like an even bigger reach.
Disturbing Issues At Hall, Conard Need To Be Fixed
February 26, 2015
I once sat with Tom Moore under different, even more difficult circumstances. He was principal at Conard High at the time, a guy who had assisted long-time football coach Rob Cersosimo, and a rising star in the West Hartford school system.
Versatile Hamilton Has Matured Rapidly
February 22, 2015
STORRS — The lob pass is an undeniable piece of art, and with Daniel Hamilton the first brushes were stroked at St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower, Calif.
Recruiting Sixth-Grade Football Players? Too Soon
February 21, 2015
For years now, Craig Bryden of Enfield has been unafraid, even eager, to share his son Daron's quarterback skills with the world.
Assaiante Has Trinity Fighting For Another Squash Title
February 20, 2015
HARTFORD — They have won it just about everywhere. They have won it just about every way.
XL Center Plans A Start, And They Make Sense
February 19, 2015
HARTFORD — This is the beginning. This is not the end. This is the beginning of the most important sports story in Connecticut in 2015. A story that will have no scoreboard, at least not until a decision is made on what route to take with the most important athletic facility in our state.
Verducci Coaching Tree Has Many Branches, But Roots In Jersey
February 18, 2015
STORRS — Bob Diaco played football for Frank Verducci's dad, Tony. Frank Verducci recruited Diaco to play at Iowa under Hayden Fry. Frank's brother Tom is the preeminent baseball writer in America. Frank and Tom's uncle? Gil Hodges.
Coming Soon: A Wonderful Ballpark (And The Usual Pessimism)
February 17, 2015
This Tuesday in mid-February dawned much closer to Ice Station Zebra than Fort Myers. The day was snowy. The day was single-digit frigid.
Remembering The UConn Team That Changed Women's Basketball
February 14, 2015
STORRS — They looked up at the video board, looked at each other and asked each other the same question.
Steph Curry, Klay Thompson Becoming New Faces Of NBA
February 13, 2015
NEW YORK — They have been one highlight reel after another. Stephen Curry has amassed YouTube clips as fast as he amassed votes for the 2015 NBA All-Star Game.
Welcome Back UConn Men, We've Been Looking For You
February 13, 2015
HARTFORD — When it was over, after Daniel Hamilton had notched his fourth career double-double and Ryan Boatright had scored north of 20 points again in another aesthetically clean game, two questions were begging to be answered.
Jeff Jacobs: In Westminster Ring, Woman, Dog Shed Cancer
February 11, 2015
Allison Thomson-Vicuna jokes that oral chemo and kisses from her boxer Molly keeps her ovarian cancer at bay. And maybe she is right.
Gamecocks Had No Answer For Jefferson
February 10, 2015
STORRS — They arrived in the New England snow with plenty of swagger and 26 of the 34 first-place votes in The Associated Press poll.
Auriemma On Messages Sent And A Golf Game With Dean Smith
February 8, 2015
STORRS — Breanna Stewart, the best player in America, was talking about messages. The message Geno Auriemma sent Morgan Tuck, Kiah Stokes and Stewart with love not-so-tender in Elvis Presley's hometown Saturday. The message the three intended to return to their Hall of Fame coach at practice Sunday and again Monday night in the battle between the top two women's basketball teams in the nation.
Blame Schools This Time, Not NCAA
February 7, 2015
The NCAA is the tin can we all love to kick. And don't get me wrong. I have worn out the tips of my holier-than-thou loafers kicking that can.
Diaco Gets A Biggie: Cespedes (6-8) Eager To Help UConn
February 4, 2015
NEW LONDON — Last February, after he had been to the national championship game as a defensive coordinator and before he had experienced one game as a head coach, Bob Diaco talked about going after big bodies, big minds and big aspirations.
Breakout Stars, But Amazing Storyline Steals The Show
February 2, 2015
GLENDALE, Ariz. —Chris Matthews stole America's heart and Tom Brady stole it back. Jermaine Kearse pulled off a miracle on Malcolm Butler and, thanks to perhaps the worst decision in the history of sports, Butler pulled off an even bigger miracle to give the Patriots their fourth Super Bowl triumph of the 21st century.
True Or Not, Cheating Label Sticks To Patriots
January 31, 2015
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Rob Gronkowski, one of those savage workout beasts and natural party animals who inevitably reach the point in life where two roads diverge, credits two men with helping him choose the one wiser traveled.
No Sympathy, But Hernandez Is Tragic Figure In So Many Ways
January 31, 2015
— As Aaron Hernandez sits there in a Fall River courtroom, accused of the most heinous of crimes, it might sound both disingenuous and superficial to argue he is our loss.
A Shaky Address By Commissioner Goodell
January 30, 2015
PHOENIX — Roger Goodell tried to walk the difficult line between humility and authority in his annual pre-Super Bowl press conference on Friday. Given the NFL commissioner's robotic nature, it's not surprising that he tripped over that line a number of times.
Instead Of Walking Away, Blount Now Facing Things Head On
January 29, 2015
CHANDLER, Ariz. — LeGarrette Blount, built like a Mack truck and able to cut like a Ferrari, was talking about his feet the other morning.
Friendly Fire: Browner Out To Smack Ex-Teammates In Seattle
January 28, 2015
CHANDLER, Ariz. — Brandon Browner has a Legion of Boom tattoo on his arm. He calls it a tribute to his brothers. At the same time, the Patriots cornerback has no problem encouraging his teammates to break Richard Sherman's arm and Earl Thomas' shoulder in the Super Bowl.
No, Nothing Party: Belichick, Brady, Lynch Don't Say A Thing
January 27, 2015
PHOENIX — Channeling his inner Pete Carroll, Bill Belichick showed up relaxed in jeans and flip flops. Channeling his inner One Direction, Tom Brady showed up with hair somewhere between boy band and bed head.
Deflategate: Was NFL Out To Sting Patriots?
January 26, 2015
PHOENIX — The longer Deflategate dragged on the less it figured to be about the pressure inside a football and the more it figured to be about the pressure on the NFL to prove its own integrity.
It's Easy For Geno Auriemma To Get To Root Of Coach K's Success
January 25, 2015
They are sons of immigrants. One's Italian surname ends with a familiar vowel. The other's Polish name ends with an equally familiar "ski." Forever sons of immigrants, and they embrace that birthright with all their being.
Belichick Makes Shrewd Move Trying To Deflate Deflategate
January 24, 2015
Although Bill Belichick kept repeating that he is not a scientist, he is a genius.
Who Let The Air Out? Brady, Belichick Won't Take The Blame
January 23, 2015
This has become much less an episode of "CSI" and much more an episode of "Hogan's Heroes." How Patriots coach Bill Belichick and, more important, Tom Brady could stand there Thursday in separate press conferences and play the "I know nothing" card is, in retrospect, not entirely shocking.
GM Maccagnan Hopes To Use Trinity Education To Revamp Jets
January 21, 2015
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — The headline writers at the New York tabloids figure to be heartbroken. On a Wednesday morning when they were having the time of their lives trumpeting the Patriots' deflated footballs controversy, the freak show that has been the Jets took a decidedly professional turn.
Effects Of Inflation: Once Again, We're Talking About Football
January 21, 2015
It doesn't matter if we want Deflategate. It doesn't matter if we don't want Deflategate.
Even When You Guess Right, Bill Belichick Has You Fooled
January 19, 2015
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Poor Chuck Pagano. Even before the opening kickoff, he had it right.
Luck-Brady Will Be The Stuff Of History
January 17, 2015
An AFC Championship edition of Half-Baked Jake:
Well-Rounded Walter Harrison Of UHart Honored By NCAA
January 16, 2015
As a lover of both the sonnet and the box score, someone who can address Viola and Frank Viola, it is fitting that Walter Harrison's two goals in life have been to see every Shakespeare play performed live and to see a game at every major league park.
Patriots' Revis Won't Look Back, His Focus Is Solely On Colts
January 15, 2015
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Tom Brady got poked in the eye last weekend against the Ravens and Thursday the Patriots' quarterback was able to joke about it.
Patriots Discussion: Conservative Rush And A Big Bag Of Wind
January 14, 2015
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — There have been two pressing questions in the hours and days leading to the AFC Championship Game.
OSU-Oregon Magnifies UConn's Futility And Distance From Top
January 13, 2015
Big-time college football never seemed farther away from Connecticut than on Monday night.
Brady Wins The Duel With Flacco
January 10, 2015
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — In this wildly entertaining playoff game, the kind of night that makes the NFL king among North American sports, there was only one perfect quarterback.
Olympics In Boston? City Always Seemed Smarter Than That
January 9, 2015
They dumped tea into Boston Harbor in 1773 over taxation. So you've got to figure at some point the citizens of Boston, inexorably tied to their sports and their history, will dump enough Coca-Cola — official drink of the Olympics — into the harbor to persuade the IOC that Paris, Berlin, Casablanca, anywhere else is a better idea for the 2024 Summer Games.
We May Have Disagreed, But Stuart Scott Had A Way With Words
January 8, 2015
Stuart Scott didn't like what I wrote about him 17 years and three days before his death.
How Could Any Writer Not Vote For Pedro Martinez?
January 6, 2015
He sent chills down our spines. Yes, every time he went to the mound, gripped the ball and unsprung that small, tightly wound frame on the world, Pedro Martinez sent chills up and down our backbones.
Mosqueda-Lewis Remains Undeterred
January 4, 2015
NEW YORK — When it all goes perfectly, and sometimes it does for the UConn women, their performances over the years have been compared to a Broadway play. When the ball rotates so crisply, bing, bing, bing, open three for Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis, it looks so beautifully choreographed you feel like throwing roses out on the floor.
Four Is Fun, But Wouldn't Eight Be Great?
January 3, 2015
When something as intense and sweeping as a national college football playoff invades our sporting lives for the first time, there is an irresistible urge to dive into every crazy nuance of the two Final Four games and overlook the obvious:
Hamilton's Pain Was Worst
December 31, 2014
HARTFORD — Ryan Boatright limped away from Wednesday afternoon with a deep left-thigh contusion. Hitting the battle for a rebound, Omar Calhoun left with a laceration above a bandaged left eye, his eyelid partially shut the way a boxer's would be after going 12 rounds.
Jeff Jacobs: Hard-Bitten Writer Finds Fun Again In Son's Game
December 30, 2014
The sports fan in me died Sept. 9, 1972. Forty two years later, it isn't difficult to make such an admission. The hard part is admitting the sports fan in me returned from the dead in the waning days of 2014.
Duke's Bigs Come Up Small Against UConn's Grit
December 30, 2014
HARTFORD — All that talk about Duke's height and Duke came up small again.
As NFL Season Ends, Maneuvering Begins
December 28, 2014
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The games ended Sunday and now the games begin.
UConn And Tennessee: Time To Renew Women's Basketball Rivalry
December 27, 2014
The pen of women's basketball history is in Geno Auriemma's hand now.
Central's Dickenman Looks For Positives In Difficult Season
December 26, 2014
Howie Dickenman continued a family tradition of nearly four decades at his home on Christmas Eve. Only this time, the Central Connecticut basketball coach had another guest.
UConn Teams Need A Better Home In Hartford
December 22, 2014
BRIDGEPORT — Last season, Webster Bank Arena was kind of cute. This season, the UConn basketball games in Bridgeport are kind of a nuisance.
Gabby Williams Moving Forward Quickly
December 21, 2014
UNCASVILLE — It was after one of the campus practices early in the season when Geno Auriemma's attention turned to Gabby Williams.
Baseball Hall: Keep The Voting Serious And Fair
December 20, 2014
My 2015 Baseball Hall of Fame ballot: Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez, John Smoltz, Craig Biggio, Jeff Bagwell, Mike Piazza, Curt Schilling, Tim Raines, Edgar Martinez and Mike Mussina.
It Can't Be All Boatright, All The Time
December 19, 2014
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Mike Krzyzewski said that UConn played like the championship program it is. What the Huskies didn't play like on this Thursday night in the Meadowlands was like a championship team.
Weaver Team Sending Its Own Message
December 18, 2014
The message, Weaver basketball coach Reggie Hatchett insisted, was not some knee-jerk reaction or copycat demonstration. The message his team wanted to send before its season opener against Bulkeley wasn't, "We hate cops" or "We hate white people" or "We hate anybody."
Can't-Miss Field Goals? Brimah Streak On Line Vs. Duke
December 17, 2014
STORRS — The name Jahlil Okafor jumps off the page and into every UConn fan's cereal bowl this week. But what about Ray Voelkel and Torian Oglesby?
Patriots Are Still Coldly Efficient, Like A Machine
December 14, 2014
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — When it goes as it should, Stephen Gostkowski said, it's like a pitching machine. Snap. Hold. Kick. Snap. Hold. Kick.
Windsor Coach's Words Resonate Beyond Football
December 13, 2014
NEW BRITAIN — When it was over, after each of his assistants had spoken, after the "W" sign had been flashed, oh, 20 times, Rob Fleeting leaned into his giddy huddle of state champions.
Missing His Shot: UConn Could Use Calhoun, But He's Still Out
December 12, 2014
STORRS — There is no feeling in the world for an athlete like the feeling of being needed. Omar Calhoun has been needed. If, against Texas, Calhoun had hit one three-pointer — something he hasn't even attempted since the AAC tournament final against Louisville last March — UConn wouldn't be 3-3 today.
It's Different At Capital Prep – And That's A Good Thing
December 11, 2014
HARTFORD — Capital Prep has its chance Saturday against North Branford to become the first Hartford school in 15 years to win a state football championship. So it's probably no surprise to read that two of the Trailblazers came out to greet a sports writer Thursday in their uniforms.
No Way Around It, Red Sox Blew It With Jon Lester
December 10, 2014
As news spread overnight that Jon Lester had spurned Red Sox ownership in favor of the boy genius who once had escaped its employ dressed in a gorilla suit, another slightly less audacious scene began to spread across the Internet.
Big 12 Is Out In The Cold, So UConn Officials Should Strike While Iron Is Hot
December 7, 2014
If the grand pooh-bahs of college football had any sense of humor, they would have commissioned a 12-member committee including Condoleezza Rice — oh, wait, she's already taken — to select a four-team national playoff to determine the worst team in America.
Kiah Stokes Erasing Her Doubts
December 6, 2014
SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Muffet McGraw called her the difference in the game. And when asked who the leader of his team is, Geno Auriemma called out that same name.
Tebucky Jones' Comeback Complete; State Title Within Reach
December 5, 2014
NEW BRITAIN — Tebucky Jones thought he had something special back in camp when he passed out cards asking his New Britain football players to fill out what their individual goals were this season.
Beat Up Stewart? Geno Will Find Other Ways To Beat You
December 3, 2014
STORRS — A funny thing happened to Breanna Stewart on her way to winning four national championships and the final 125 games of her college career.
Ashiru's Father Had Harsh Words, And Diaco Was 'Crushed'
December 2, 2014
STORRS — This is the kind of accusation that can damage a college football program. It is a father's accusation that can damage a coach's reputation and his ability to recruit the sons of other fathers.
Painful Closing Seconds, Especially For Boatright
November 30, 2014
STORRS — A final play designed first to go to Myles Turner flashing to the basket switched in a flash to Jonathan Holmes wide open in the left corner. Of course the game-winning three ball Holmes dropped on UConn Sunday afternoon at Gampel Pavilion hurt. It hurt plenty.
QB Nebrich, After Leaving UConn, Excelling At Fordham
November 29, 2014
NEW YORK — The words came from the Jack Coffey Field press box with a full-throated fury.
Jeff Jacobs: Let's See What Boyle Can Do For Two Full Games
November 26, 2014
STORRS — Play Tim Boyle for all the snaps at Memphis.
Pickoff Move: Sox Change Course, Splurge On Sandoval, Ramirez
November 24, 2014
In the end, what they do is much more important than what they say. In the end, the players they put on the field in April and October are much more important than the words they stuff into microphones in November and February.
Patriots Had This One In The Bag
November 23, 2014
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — After a defense led by Darrelle Revis had quieted Megatron and smudged Golden, Patriots cornerback Brandon Browner talked about a turnover bag his unit keeps.
Emotions Run Highest In The Game
November 22, 2014
BOSTON — The Game was relevant in every way again, among the patricians as well as the peasants who would tune in to watch Handsome Dan lick Kirk Herbstreit's face.
Pass The Drumstick, Then Everything Else, To Joey Chestnut
November 21, 2014
WEST HARTFORD — Growing up, the most famous eater in the world wanted no part of the big bird.
Upton, Davidson And Hungry UConn Field Hockey Team Want Another Title
November 20, 2014
On that magical Sunday in Norfolk,Va., last November, Roisin Upton talked about fatigue and the cold and wind. The UConn field hockey team had gone 100 minutes a few nights earlier, with little substitution, to outlast North Carolina in an overtime shootout. And now here they were exhausted and ultimately victorious.
Think Diaco Inherited A Mess? Just Ask, He'll Go On And On
November 18, 2014
STORRS — Bob Diaco has won only two of his first nine games as UConn football coach, but never let it be said that he has run out of ways to describe what a bad situation he inherited or the painfully long process he is undertaking.
Eli Manning Accurate At One Thing: Sticking A Fork In The Giants
November 16, 2014
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Leave it to Tom Coughlin, cheeks reddened by the November chill and five successive losses, to figure out that two wrongs could make a right.
Yale Honors Its Football Past
November 15, 2014
NEW HAVEN — One after another, the pride of Yale football entered the big tent outside Portal 20 of the Yale Bowl.
Boatright, Filling Napier's Big Shoes, Leads Huskies Past Bryant
November 14, 2014
STORRS — Ryan Boatright knew he was getting his national championship ring in a ceremony before the season opener Friday night. What he didn't know was that his national championship mom Tanesha was going to be at Gampel Pavilion.
Celebrating Pagni's Legacy: A Special Night For State Hockey
November 13, 2014
His words were engraved on the back of Jonathan Quick's goalie mask during the NHL playoffs last spring. His words will be engraved in the heart of Connecticut hockey this weekend.
Hartford Took A Shot On Nwakamma, And It Has Paid Off
November 12, 2014
Four years ago, John Gallagher had questions about Mark Nwakamma's work ethic. Now, as the first Hartford player since Vin Baker to earn consecutive first-team all-league honors begins his senior season, Gallagher still has concerns.
Jeff Jacobs: Hard To Point Angry Finger At Silly Act By UConn Player
November 11, 2014
HAMDEN — Even now, 41 years later, I can't fully explain why I did it. There it is on page 188 among the senior homeroom pictures in my high school yearbook.
New Faces Looking Like Veterans
November 9, 2014
HARTFORD — On a Sunday afternoon when we began to see the many possibilities of Daniel Hamilton, we saw the specific pop of Sam Cassell Jr. for a second time.
A Horrible Loss For The Huskies Against Army
November 8, 2014
NEW YORK — After we sift through the could'ves, should'ves, successful onside kick, Chandler Whitmer's spine-snapping interception, Bob Diaco's steely postgame, long-term resolve and the, wow, wasn't it cool to play in the House That Jeter Built, it came down to this.
Auriemma Keys In On Piano, Not Retirement
November 7, 2014
STORRS — Geno Auriemma says it has been an obsession of his to learn to play the piano. He has an iPad app, he says, and likes to fool around with it in his office.
Hearty Meal For Hockey Starved State
November 5, 2014
A Boston College man, the governor of our state, made this night happen. A former Boston College coach defeated his mentor, a man he called the John Wooden and Bear Bryant of his sport, in a night that jumped for hockey like it hadn't in a long, long time at the XL Center.
UConn's Cavanaugh Will Face His Mentor As York Brings BC To XL
November 4, 2014
Mike Cavanaugh taught bowling at Bowling Green to get to a night like this one. He taught billiards on Bowling Green's green velvet tables. He taught volleyball for the opportunity to coach under Jerry York, an opportunity that would grow into nearly two decades of enormous success with a college hockey legend.
Edelman, Gronkowski Make The Big Plays For Patriots
November 2, 2014
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Julian Edelman, all 5 feet 10 of him on his tippy toes, looked over a forest of reporters and cameras and spotted Rob Gronkowski walking past in the Patriots' locker room.
Using Foxx At Quarterback A Sly Move
November 1, 2014
EAST HARTFORD — The UConn offense had produced 15 yards in 15 plays when Deshon Foxx went in at quarterback with 12:34 left in the first half Saturday.
Why Do Stories Always Seem To Change In Domestic Violence Cases?
October 31, 2014
Friday marked the last day of Domestic Violence Awareness month, but we all know the scourge of domestic violence respects no calendar.
Memorial A Joyful Moment For Jasper Howard's Fiancee
October 30, 2014
Jazz's daughter is 4 now. Ja'Miya Howard is full of life. She is all personality.
Bourque Brothers Enjoying Time Together With Wolf Pack
October 29, 2014
Twenty eight years later, here was Raymond Bourque sitting inside the XL Center. That's right. The noblest opponent, who played more games, scored more points and skated infinitely more minutes than anybody against the Whalers, finally got off our ice.
UConn Got What It Deserved, But They Should Throw Book At UNC
October 28, 2014
There is no reason to feel one shred of sympathy for the academic fraud that is the University of North Carolina. Not if you are a UConn athlete, not if you are a UConn academic, not if you are a UConn fan. Not if you are standing in Storrs and looking 617 miles to the south, down I-95 toward Chapel Hill.
Money Needed To Finish Center Could Use Some NBA Bling
October 17, 2014
STORRS — The $40 million Werth Family UConn Basketball Champions Center, christened on a Friday when dual national championships would be celebrated across the street, is beautiful. Beyond beautiful, really, borderline spectacular compared to what the Huskies' basketball teams have used in the past.
Jeff Jacobs: After Nauseating Bickering, Give Stadium A Chance
October 15, 2014
Isn't democracy grand? Or messy? Or both? Anyway, after months of citizens spitting vitriol like chewing tobacco at each other, making numbers sing, making numbers dance, doing everything just short of proclaiming that a baseball stadium will either turn Hartford into Emerald City or forever bankrupt Connecticut, the Hartford city council voted Tuesday night to approve a sweeping $350 million development plan that includes a minor league ballpark scheduled to open in April 2016 for a move downtown by the New Britain Rock Cats.
Rizza's $5M Gift Comes From A Modest Heart
October 13, 2014
STORRS — He had made an anonymous $3 million gift a few years ago. And even as he pledged to match $5 million more in donations toward the construction of a new soccer complex, the largest single donor in UConn athletics history had to be encouraged to allow his name to jump from his checkbook to the public eye.
They Love To Run, And So Do The Ones They Love
October 11, 2014
Scott Mindel was running to jump a Southwest flight to Chicago immediately after finishing ninth at the 2014 NU Hartford Marathon.
Reception Warms Donovan's Heart
October 10, 2014
Jurgen Klinsmann cut Landon Donovan in May. And anyone who has ever loved someone or something as much as Donovan has loved soccer knows the first cut is the deepest.
No Coverup At Trinity: Tapsall Discards Wig, Inspires Others
October 9, 2014
Athletes often take off their gloves, their pads, their caps before they start an interview. Liv Tapsall takes a seat on the bench at the Trinity field hockey field and takes off her blonde wig.
In Refurbished XL Center, Whaler Green Is Missing
October 8, 2014
There was so much to look for at the refurbished XL Center when NBA hopes and NHL history suddenly collided on this Wednesday night in October.
It Has Been Ugly; Diaco Says UConn Has Been Own Worst Enemy
October 8, 2014
STORRS — On one level, on many levels, really, the rebuilding process will be a long one. Yet on another level, through the prism of gifts wrapped for the opposition and a defense not necessarily designed to create turnovers, the damage the UConn football team has done to itself through five games is stunning.
Class Act By Plainfield Students Follows Ugly Act At Game
October 3, 2014
PLAINFIELD — For someone who makes his living offering sports opinion, this is a difficult enough column. For a parent of a high school athlete who plays in a town with people accused of using the ugliest of racial slurs against high school athletes from other towns, this might be the most difficult of my 37-year career.
Despite Measly Resources, Toner Built Powerful UConn Empire
September 24, 2014
John Toner got UConn into the Big East. He hired Jim Calhoun. He hired Geno Auriemma.
Say A Little Prayer For Me: Dorothy Ollie In Jacobs' Corner
September 20, 2014
My Walk of Faith from the steps of the state Capitol to the steps of Gampel Pavilion, Hartford to Storrs, all 26 miles of redemption, will be Sunday, Oct. 5.
Emotional Night For Wethersfield's Tyler Murphy
September 17, 2014
It was, Tyler Murphy said, a day to remember. "And it was," Murphy said, "a night I will never forget. It's hard to put into exact words how special it was. I've never experienced anything like it."
Smart QB: UConn's Casey Cochran Goes Out A Winner
September 15, 2014
STORRS — By Casey Cochran's best estimate, he has played the game for 20 years. Casey Cochran is 20 years old.
Give Huskies A 'C' So Far, But 6 Wins An Attainable Goal
September 13, 2014
EAST HARTFORD — Over the past month, Bob Diaco repeatedly called the first quarter of his first UConn season "the preparation." On Saturday, after this 38-21 loss to Boise State, he called the next quarter "the present."
Derek Jeter, As Always, One Cool Captain
September 7, 2014
NEW YORK — On a day the Yankees honored Derek Jeter, a Sunday when Joe Torre called him the best player he'd ever managed, Torre recalled a moment from October 1996. Jeter was a 22-year-old rookie. Torre was a rookie Yankees manager.
A Night Ranaudo Won't Forget: Fans Jeter For First Strikeout
August 2, 2014
BOSTON — It was barely a year ago when Anthony Ranaudo stood in the rear of the New Britain Stadium press box, stretched to his full 79 inches and smiled at a question he knew was coming.
What's Next For The XL Center?
June 14, 2014
I have no answer. I'm going to ask the question, anyway.
Problems With New Britain Stadium Put Solomon On The Move
June 13, 2014
Rock Cats owner Josh Solomon doesn't like being called a liar. Nobody likes being called a liar. And that's probably as good a place as any to start.
Summer In The City? Baseball Would Make It Special
June 3, 2014
We have a history. Oh, do we have a baseball history.
March 15, Where It All Started [We Know The One Team UConn Can't Beat]
March 15, 2014
In this column that appeared in The Courant on March 16, 2014 - after UConn's loss to Louisville in the AAC tournament final - columnist Jeff Jacobs went out on a limb. Read on!
Aaron Hernandez Had Everything – Except Courage
June 26, 2013
As he walked out of the front door of his $1.3 million McMansion on Wednesday morning, handcuffed under his white T-shirt, it struck me that Aaron Hernandez looked like he had alligator arms.
Sports No Salvation For Alleged Bomber
April 21, 2013
After a marathon that danced with joy and ended in horror, surely we see what sports can mean to a city. By now, after pregame tributes marked by an anthem singer's fist pumps and the most appropriate f-bomb in New England history, yes, we see how sports can serve as the great stage to unite a region and lift its spirit.
Bombings Hit A Race That Is Peaceful At Its Heart
April 16, 2013
Amby Burfoot was a little more than a half mile from the finish line Monday, running happily with childhood friends from Groton, when suddenly a human traffic jam confronted him.
Soccer Stars Give Newtown Kids Something To Smile About
January 8, 2013
This was Chris Canetti's idea. This is Marcus Tracy's hometown.
Athletes Who Use Guns Must Use Their Influence In Wake Of Newtown Massacre
December 17, 2012
Some of the best hunters and anglers in the world are to be found on the rosters of American professional sports teams. Some of the best hunters and anglers in the world are to be found enshrined in Cooperstown, Canton and Springfield. They are respected as both sportsmen and sportsmen.
Let's Have Hugs, Prayers And No More Need For Tributes
December 17, 2012
John Prior saw the news flash across CNBC on Friday and it staggered him.
Calhoun: Guts And Glory
September 14, 2012
STORRS — The reality of 40 cold New England winters are behind him. We begin with the Jim Calhoun legend now, and when legend becomes fact, they say, print the legend.
Calhoun's A Legend; Get A Legend To Replace Him
September 12, 2012
We knew the toughest man in the room, the most competitive man in the gym, the greatest college basketball coach in New England history would battle until the end. We knew he'd go the full 15 rounds.
Jeff Jacobs: Never A Doubt Webb Simpson Was Coming To Travelers
June 20, 2012
CROMWELL — He passed on Letterman. He passed on Leno. He didn't pass on the Travelers Championship.
Michael Thompson Is Rising Toward Top Of PGA Tour
June 19, 2012
Michael Thompson lived last week on the crookedest street in the world, which is entirely fitting given his profession. He arrives in Connecticut this week all too aware that no sport puts you on the crookedest street of emotions like golf.
Nov. 23: Bobby Valentine Will Be Fun With Red Sox, But It Won't End Well
November 24, 2011
This started Nov. 3 at the Hartford Club. And make no mistake, it would end spectacularly. This started with an arranged meeting before a World Affairs Council event on Prospect Street. And the prospect of it ending in flames on Yawkey Way isn't really a prospect at all.
Kemba Walker Embraced The Process
April 13, 2011
STORRS — Jim Calhoun was using Charlie Villanueva as a comparison, but the truth is the UConn coach could have inserted the names of hundreds of college basketball players. The difference with Kemba Walker, Calhoun insisted, is he didn't have to learn how to work.
UConn's George Blaney Not Just Along For The Ride
April 9, 2011
By his own calculation, UConn associate coach George Blaney had been to 36 Final Fours before 2004. He sat on the board of the National Association of Basketball Coaches. That meant Blaney always had good seats.
Finale Built Brick By Brick
April 6, 2011
Sure, it was a rock fight. Yet to focus on the rock is to miss the fact that the UConn Huskies moved a mountain over 28 glorious days.
Three For Calhoun In The Blink Of An Eye
April 5, 2011
HOUSTON — In one of those simple, brilliant leads that occasionally grace the sports pages, Courant beat writer Michael Arace sent 17 words back to Connecticut from St. Petersburg, Fla., on March 29, 1999.
Calhoun Vs. Calipari A Show In Itself
April 2, 2011
Coaches, players, Cinderellas, old New England turf rivals, they were all at a banquet to honor their Final Four achievement Thursday night when Jim Calhoun decided the time was ripe to play the "My Three Sons" card.
They're Riding High Out Of The West Again
March 27, 2011
ANAHEIM, Calif. — The three-pointer by Derrick Williams that would have ended this jubilant, most improbable UConn season bounced off the rim. Kyle Fogg kept the rebound alive and the three-pointer by Jamelle Horne that would have ended this jubilant, most unusual nine-game run bounced off the rim again.
With Jeremy Lamb, March Comes In Like A Lion
March 25, 2011
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Kemba Walker blinked. College basketball's omniscient guard, the god who sees all, knows all, does all, blinked.
Not Women's Or Men's, Just Greatness
December 22, 2010
Tina Charles flew in from Russia. Kemba Walker, Randy Edsall, Richard Blumenthal — the who's who of Connecticut — descended from all parts Nutmeg. In the middle of Geno Auriemma's postgame press conference on this historic night, even the President called.
Howard Baldwin Knows It Wouldn't Pay To Fight For Two Letters
September 21, 2010
The old Howard Baldwin probably would have fought this fight. In those days, the 30-year-old blond WHA rebel would be told he shouldn't do something by the hockey establishment, do the opposite and then dare the old codgers to do something about it.
Watson Triumphs On A Day That Had It All
June 28, 2010
If you saw the pitching wedge Bubba Watson topped from a fairway bunker into the water on the 17th hole, you saw a piece of it. If you saw his monster drive on 18, the one that bounced off the cart path 396 yards into Travelers Championship legend, yes, you saw another piece.
Micheel Has Special Delivery For Ill Mother
June 27, 2010
— The ball has traveled from the Pacific to the Atlantic Coast and it remains in a safe spot in Shaun Micheel's golf bag. The three-iron from 239 yards turned into only the second double-eagle in the 110-year history of the U.S. Open, and considering it occurred on Father's Day, any other time Micheel would gladly have presented the ball to his dad.
Rebuilding The Love Of The Game
June 26, 2010
— Seems like such a great life, doesn't it? Courtesy car is waiting at the airport. Mint chocolate is on the hotel pillow. Wake up and rub elbows with the big boys on the range.
Thursday Usually A Day For Dreamers At Travelers
June 25, 2010
Thursday in Cromwell can mean only one thing.
At The Travelers Championship, Wounded Soldiers Get Many Thanks
June 24, 2010
You watch Dan Nevins make his way slowly up the 18th fairway on two prosthetic legs. You look at Dan Perry's face, a face that has paid the price, a face that breaks into a huge smile after he chips in at the second hole at TPC River Highlands.
Howard Baldwin Makes First Move
March 20, 2010
Howard Baldwin is back and this time he insists he's not leaving. He has moved into an office at 100 Pearl Street and dug in for long days of work. Maybe the address is only fitting. For Baldwin will continue to swim out in the sea of his biggest dreams, 100 percent committed to finding the great pearl in the mouth of the whale.
Dobratz Always Had Time For Kids
February 10, 2010
They met skiing at Powder Ridge. Ray was months out of Maloney High in Meriden, soon to head for basic training in the National Guard. Paula was a Newington girl, still in high school.
Dixon's Journey Made Him A Leader
January 3, 2010
Andre Dixon took us into his locker room. Randy Edsall took us into his heart.
Aug. 26: UConn Football, Expect Big Year From Howard
August 26, 2009
Jasper Howard is a talker. He talks to his mom in Florida twice a day. He talks to the wide receivers in drills, oh, twice a minute.
Money, Allegations Squeeze Romanticism
April 3, 2009
For days I have been unable to get the thought out of my head. It creases my brain when I'm awake. It arrives in black and white footage in my dreams.
Greed? Arrogance? It's Waist Deep
March 26, 2009
First off, Coach, it wasn't a blog. The investigative piece was the result of six months of industry by Yahoo! Sports, one of the world's most visited websites. Calling it a blog, whether by intention or ignorance, sounded dismissive and the last thing you and UConn need today is to come off dismissive.


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D&S Communications buys the assets of failed Mako Networks
US company D&S Communications says the research and development operations of the failed payments security technology company will continue in New Zealand.
US company D&S Communications says the research and development operations of the failed payments security technology company will continue in New Zealand.
Blerter wants to be the social network for health and safety across technology, company and industry silos.
During a fireside chat with Box CEO Aaron Levie, Apple CEO Tim Cook divulged some interesting tidbits about why the longtime consumer technology company made a pivot to the enterprise.
India's prime minister Narendra Modi has made a whirlwind visit to Silicon Valley to woo US tech firms with his vision of Digital India, and he's received support from Microsoft, Google, Qualcomm and Facebook....
Additionally, Autodesk said it is investing in netfabb's previous parent company FIT Technology Group.
Sponsored by SAP
From tampons to tanning oil, Edgewell Personal Care makes it all. To continue keeping customers happy, the company needed to join the 21st century of technology and replace a legacy HR system with a self-service, mobile-accessible system.
Sponsored by SAP
Disruptive technology keeps the world constantly improving, and only the companies that take the risk to innovate will excel. Which company has done this best? You choose. Vote now.
BlackBerry said it will acquire Good Technology in a move that will accelerate its effort to become a company that revolves around enterprise mobility software.
Matt Preschern is Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of HCL Technologies, a US$5.4 billion global information technology services company.
The company hopes focusing on the next-generation display technology will ensure the firm's survival in the marketplace.
An attacker can swap out the device's firmware with altered, malicious software.
The networking company has been undergoing a time of massive changes, for better or worse.
Forrester Research data shows the difference between BT Leaders -- companies that embrace a BT agenda -- compared to BT Laggards.
The company remains the best technology employer in the country for the third consecutive year
The trio of automakers are reportedly about to buy Nokia's Here mapping division. Why? The technology is too strategic to allow another company to own it.
Uber is looking to formally establish itself as an e-commerce company that provides smartphone applications in Indonesia to avoid legal hurdles that may come out of a current police investigation into the company's operations.
Data#3 has exercised its option to acquire an additional 14.2 percent stake in Discovery Technology, after buying a 42.5 percent share in the company last year.
The CEO of the US technology giant has said that the company began launching products in the colour gold in consideration of Chinese consumer tastes.
Canadian wearables technology company Recon Instruments has been acquired by Intel for an undisclosed amount.
Docker, the popular open-source container company, has started a certification and partner program: Ecosystem Technology Partner.
Classic Steve Jobs disses you can put on your next resignation letter
Windows 10
With new Surface Book and Surface Pro 4, Microsoft aims high
Windows 10
Surface Book: Microsoft's first laptop, coming October 26 starting at $1,499
For privacy and security, change these iOS 9 settings immediately

subset: commoncrawl


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Posts from Beer
Your Favorite Craft Beers Are About to Take Flight
Food News
Just in case you didn't get your fill of craft beer news this week, Delta has recently announced that their flights will soon offer a flight of your favorite local brews.
The airline announced that they will be serving drinks from some popular breweries. Is your favorite on the list?
Beyond Turkey: Beer Pairings for 5 Holiday Roasts
Tapped In
Thanksgiving is behind us, and we're all looking forward to a whole new round of December food traditions: gingerbread and sugar cookies, cocoa laced with peppermint, more Chex Mix than a human should reasonably be able to inhale, and the crowning achievement of a full-on holiday roast dinner. You know, the kind that makes you want to bust out the good china and polished silver, even if you don't own any.
You Can Now Major in Craft Beer at College
Food News
Just in case you needed another sign that the craft beer industry is here to stay, there are now a handful of colleges and universities in the country offering "craft beer studies" as a major.
But don't be fooled into thinking that these students are spending more time in the bar than the classroom.
Snuggle Up to These 5 Scotch Ales This Winter
Tapped In
Picture it: a roaring fireplace, a plaid blanket around your shoulders, a few flakes of snow dusting the windowsills, the Avett Brothers on the stereo … wait, get that hot chocolate out of your hand! Scratch that hot toddy! When it's time to get cozy in cold weather, try some Scotch ale.
Ceramic Beer Growler by Portland Growler Co.
Faith's Daily Find 12.01.14
Ceramic Beer Growler by Portland Growler Co.
• $65
• Beam & Anchor
Made in Portland (where else?) these ceramic beer growlers come in sleek glazes and have a tight seal to keep in carbonation. Unlike a glass growler, they also keep out light and make sure your craft brew stays cool.
Royal Jamaican Ginger Beer
Faith's Daily Find 11.28.14
Royal Jamaican Ginger Beer
• Price varies
Need a soothing drink after the excesses of Thanksgiving? This ginger beer packs a triple-whammy of intense ginger spiciness to settle your tummy, with a mild alcohol content that amps up the heat. I am so obsessed with stuff right now! As someone who is never content with the level of heat in ginger soda, this finally brings it. And if you want a serious cocktail, this makes a very, very good Dark and Stormy.
Even More Coffee-Flavored Beers Are on Their Way
Food News
Earlier this fall, Starbucks rolled out a stout-flavored latte, and while we were skeptical, it looks like they were on to something with the blend of coffee and beer.
Several big names in both coffee and beer have joined forces to bring a new blend of coffee-flavored beer to the market.
Beer Pairings for Your Favorite Thanksgiving Dishes
Tapped In
We food writers toe a fine line every Thanksgiving. We're cooks too, so we understand how fraught it can be to balance tradition and innovation with each dish on our menu. How do you tell your dad that you would honestly rather make a ham this year than roast one more turkey? It's a tough call.
If you're looking for a way to add something unexpected to your table this Thanksgiving, here's one option that still gives everyone the chance to enjoy the classic food they've been craving all year. Instead of wine, try a beer pairing for each dish on the Thanksgiving buffet.
Make Bad Beer Better with an Espresso-Inspired Hops Machine
Food News
How do you make a bad beer (we're looking at you Natty Light) taste better? Add hops. That's easier said than done, right?
It was until recently. A new espresso machine-inspired gadget will soon allow bartenders to transform cheap beer into something more drinkable — at the press of a button. How?
In Case You Haven't Noticed, Beer in Cans Is Cool Again
Food News
Thanks to craft brewers it's cool to drink your beer out of a can again.
According to Quartz, there has been a recent resurgence in small craft brewers packaging their brews in cans instead of bottles. Why? Because it might actually be better for the beer and for the beer drinker.


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Elle Macpherson Intimates' lace and stretch-mesh thong strikes the perfect balance between comfort and femininity. Storm-blue ribbons offset the elegant vintage-cream hue. Complete the set with the matching bra.
Vintage-cream lace and stretch-meshLow-rise, storm-blue ribbon trim and bow, partially linedFabric: 100% polyamide; fabric2: 85% polyamide, 15% elastaneMachine wash
Product code: 174732 - Need help? Contact us


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Kinship care
Workshops offer information for families
Published: Thursday, June 14, 2007 at 6:30 a.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, June 14, 2007 at 6:03 a.m.
WHAT: Kinship Care Conference to raise awareness of the issues faced by grandparents and other family members who are raising relatives' children, and to provide them with resources and support.
WHEN: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday COST: Free for grandparents or people who are caring for relatives' children. Lunch will be provided. Child care for the first 150 children also will be provided.
WHERE: Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites, 3600 S.W. 38th Ave., Ocala, behind the Cracker Barrel off State Road 200.
REGISTER: Call 629-9500 or 1-877-622-5211
SIMILAR CONFERENCE FOR CHILD CARE WORKERS: Will be held Friday, same time and location. Child care workers must pay $50 for the conference or $45 for two or more people attending from the same agency.
SPONSOR: Kids Central, Inc.
"Her mother is ward of the state, so her child would have been ward of the state," Hughes said of her niece, Alysa. Saturday's conference is designed to provide helpful information for grandparents who are raising grandchildren and people like Hughes who are trying to care for relatives' children.
Speakers will discuss topics such as navigating the school system, children on medication, working with children of incarcerated parents, looking at family through the eyes of a child, Florida's relative caregiver program and public assistance, intergenerational issues, legal considerations, voluntary pre-kindergarten and access to child-care programs.
A similar conference will be held Friday for child-care workers.
Hughes is looking forward to the Saturday conference.
"I am hoping to learn the legal aspects of it," Hughes said. "We, evidently, didn't take care of things appropriately. The way we did it was not legally correct for the county they lived in. We just didn't know. We listened to nurses."
Hughes said that when Alysa, now 3, was born, the child's natural mother, who has a mental disorder, was unable to care for the baby. The baby is the child of her husband's sister. The grandmother, although supportive, was unable to care for the baby.
So Hughes and her husband welcomed the child into their home, which they share with their son, Micaiah, 5, and 12-year-old Datoine Hadley, Hughes' son from a previous marriage.
Hughes' mother-in-law signed the papers so the baby could be brought home.
"We don't want to offend her," Hughes said of Alysa's biological mother, who she said suffers from bipolar disorder. "But we want to get it where we don't have to worry about her making careless mistakes."
Because paperwork was not done correctly, Hughes said the biological mother - who has said she will not give Hughes full custody - can take Alysa away at any time.
"We just want to protect Alysa, as well as ourselves," Hughes said, adding she does not want the child to end up in foster care.
Taking care of their niece is not easy for Hughes and her husband.
"Financially, we are trying to do the best we can and making the best of it," she said. "We're not poor. We don't have to be on government programs."
But her husband, who is a loan processor, works on commission, and some months his earnings are leaner than others. He also is trying to pursue his dream of being a horse trainer. He rises at 5 a.m. to work with the horse the family owns.
Even though there are sacrifices involved in raising a third child, Hughes said she has the support of her church, and Alysa brings joy into their lives.
Hughes hopes Saturday's conference will help steer her in the right direction so she can legally protect Alysa. She also hopes to find out how, perhaps, this situation may affect the child in future years. And she would like to know if there are funds available to help raise the child.
"It's good to know that she's in a happy place and you can do something to help somebody else, whatever you can do," Hughes said.
Kids Central Inc., the lead community-based care agency for the Department of Children and Families' District 13, is sponsoring the conferences.
Keynote speakers for both Friday and Saturday include Naomi Haines Griffith, an author and consultant on child welfare issues who spent 20 years working in child welfare; Joseph Crumbley, a family therapist in Pennsylvania who specializes in pre- and post-adoptive therapy, chemical dependency, physical and sexual abuse, and kinship care and transracial adoptions; and Jerry Regier, deputy assistant secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Susan Latham Carr may be reached at (352) 867-4156 or firstname.lastname@example.com.
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