Roger Federer will turn 29 next month, but he looked over the hill in his disappointing exit from Wimbledon. This week on Only A Game, Bill speaks with Bud Collins about where Federer will go from here. Plus, baseball in the 70′s, Roger Bennett discusses the shady refereeing at the World Cup, and Only A Game’s Sadie Babits reports on a tournament showcasing some extremely creative facial hair.
Who says the USA doesn’t like soccer? This week on Only A Game, Sports Illustrated’s Grant Wahl talks about late-game heroics from the Americans, the collapse of the defending champs, and more from the World Cup. Plus, we speak with Wimbledon’s official poet, Bill chats with David Remnick, editor of a new collection of sportswriting from the New Yorker, and Only A Game’s Ron Schachter looks at “tornado and hurricane,” two children looking to become tennis’s next superstars. Join us.
This week on Only A Game, a report from England on the National squad’s latest preparations to follow up their impressive 1966 World Cup victory. Also, the nationwide decline of thoroughbred racing, and why the Celtics and Lakers just can’t leave each other alone.
Astute listeners of Only A Game know that Bill Littlefield was on vacation last week, and those paying really close attention know how and where he spent at least one day of that vacation. Now that he’s returned, Bill offers more details…
When watching professional sports it’s easy to wonder, “How did these guys get so good?” Some chalk it up to natural talent, but author Matthew Syed has another theory. In his new book, Bounce: Mozart, Federer, Picasso, Beckham, and the Science of Success, he argues that with enough practice, we can all be excellent. Bill shares his thoughts on the book.
Will he goad the NFL, propose marriage or change his name yet again? This week on Only A Game, Karen Given fills-in for Bill and talks with Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver and provocateur Chad Ochocinco. Also, college basketball with Pat Forde and Indonesian bull racing.
Lots of colleges and universities have established athletic halls of fame. An upcoming induction at one of them appeals to Bill for several reasons.
The most thoroughly discussed event in the recently-completed U.S Open Tennis Tournament was the tirade which Serena Williams directed at the linesperson who penalized her for a foot fault, while Williams was losing to Kim Clijsters in the women’s final. As far as commentator Bill Littlefield is concerned, the question now is how Williams will endeavor to rehabilitate her image following the episode.
The oxen of the autumnal equinox are back on the fields! This week on Only A Game, an NFL season preview. Also, recalling Staten Island high school football when Staten Island was still an island, a US Open update, and a bicycle race for donut lovers.
The Detroit Shock, three times the WNBA Champs, have lost a lot this summer. This week on “Only A Game,” their current story. We’ll also ask “Whither golf in these hard times? Will it whither?” Whether or not it does, we’ll witness bad bowling at the Big Lebowski Fest.
