Nationals' Eaton Gives Bat to Hometown Fans

No matter where life takes them, athletes often have undying connections to their hometowns. Adam Eaton is no exception. Eaton – a Springfield, Ohio native – is not only a 2019 World Series champion who plays for the Washington Nationals, but is also a happy patron of the Half Day Cafe in nearby Urbana. However, Adam is not the only Eaton who’s been eatin’ at the cafe. Adam’s parents, Glen and Robin Eaton, dine at the cafe about once a month. Over time, Glen and Robin befriended the owner…

Legendary Lineups: Best of the 80s

Now this is where my job starts to become difficult. The 1980s produced a plethora of talent, so it was hard to select only five for this list. But nonetheless, I did it, and I must say I am proud of this lineup. Here are my five best NBA players from the 1980s. It’s hard to talk about NBA basketball in the 80s without mentioning Ervin “Magic” Johnson. Magic was an integral part of the Lakers, and excelled at his role as leader of the team during the “showtime” era. The 6’9” product of Michigan State played a variety…

Legendary Lineups: Best of the 70s

Last week, I laid out my plan for blog articles over the next few weeks, putting together “best of the decade” teams from the best players in the history of the National Basketball Association (NBA). In case you missed it, make sure to check out last week’s post about the best players from the 1960s. Also, something I might not have mentioned clearly last week, each player…

Legendary Lineups: Best of the 60s

As I wrote in last week’s article, it didn’t feel right not talking about all the basketball stars I left off of the All-Time NBA Mount Rushmore. So, to make myself feel better, over the next few weeks, I will be making six teams, encompassing some the best players from NBA history. These “Legendary Lineups,” as I’m calling them, will cover the six decades from 1960 to 2010. Without further…

All-Time NBA Mount Rushmore

The debate over who is the greatest basketball player of all time is what I call “the impossible question” and will rage on for centuries. A definitive answer will most likely never be reached because of one simple fact: not every era is the same. NBA basketball has taken many forms over its existence, each valuing a different skill set than the one before. In Bill Russell’s age, size was everything. Being taller than your opponents gave…

Reviewing Chelsea's New Home Kit

Chelsea FC unveiled its new home kit for the 2020-21 Premier League season, and … well, they’re something. Mark the date and time, ladies and gentlemen, because we’re talking about soccer today (or football depending on where you are). During the pandemic, I have begun watching English Premier League. I became a Chelsea fan through a friend of mine who lives in London, and the…

TrueSports BlogCaleb S. SpinnerJuly 3, 2020Caleb Spinner, truesports, TrueSports Blog, truechat, sports, Chelsea FC, new kitsComment

Remembering "The Miracle on Ice"

If things were normal, we would be a few days short of a month until the opening ceremony of the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympic games. Due to the global outbreak of COVID-19, the games have been postponed until next year. However, that hasn’t stopped me from looking back at some of the greatest moments from past years, one of which took place…

TrueSports BlogCaleb S. SpinnerJune 26, 2020hockey, Miracle, Miracle on Ice, olympics, david versus goliath, US vs USSR, caleb spinnerComment

Remembering Pat Tillman's Sacrifice

Memorial Day is much more than an excuse to fire up the grill and watch baseball. The holiday was created to remember and honor those servicemen and women who gave their lives defending the many freedom we enjoy each and every day. In sports, few names hold more reverence than that of Pat Tillman. Tillman was an NFL safety for the Arizona Cardinals from…

TrueSports BlogCaleb S. SpinnerMay 25, 2020TrueSports Blog, Memorial Day, Caleb Spinner, Pat Tillman, NFL, articleComment

The Light at the End of the Tunnel

It’s been over two months since sports came to a screeching halt, following the outbreak of COVID-19. Now, it looks like we are slowly returning to normal, and the return of college and professional sports may be just around the corner. Here are some of the ways organizations are adjusting their operations to get back up and running, while obeying CDC and…

TrueSports BlogCaleb S. SpinnerMay 22, 2020TrueSports Blog, COVID-19, Caleb Spinner, TrueSports, article, NFL, NHL, MLB, NBAComment

"The Last Dance" Opened My Eyes

Let me start by saying that I don’t usually watch sports documentaries, much less recommend that others do, but The Last Dance is a massive exception to that sentiment. For the longest time, partially because I am a Cleveland Cavaliers fan and partially because I’ve grown…

TrueSports BlogCaleb S. SpinnerMay 18, 2020Michael Jordan, The Last Dance, TrueSports Blog, Caleb SpinnerComment

A New Hope for Browns Fans

Not Luke Skywalker…Andrew Berry. Free agency so far has been fantastic if you’re a Browns' fan like I am. The Cleveland Browns signed Pro Bowl TE Austin Hooper, All-Pro OT Jack Conklin and veteran QB Case Keenum, on the first day. The first day. These additions came as a surprise to me for a couple…

TrueSports BlogCaleb S. SpinnerMarch 20, 2020Comment

With the Tenth Pick...The Cleveland Browns Select...

The NFL Draft has been a historically difficult time for Browns' fans overall. However, the past few years have seen a lot more good than bad. In the past three years, Cleveland has used its picks to select DE Myles Garrett, RB Nick Chubb, DT Larry Ogunjobi, Jabril Peppers (whom was later traded to the Giants in the Odell deal) and LB Mack…

TrueSports BlogCaleb S. SpinnerFebruary 24, 2020Comment

What Would Trading up for Tua Cost the Cowboys?

In a recent interview, Alabama quarterback Tua Tugovailoa said that if he had his pick of teams to play for, he would chose the Cowboys. The star, when asked if he could choose a team to join next season, answered by saying he’d want to play under Mike McCarthy in Dallas. “‘If you’re saying…

TrueSports BlogCaleb S. SpinnerFebruary 21, 2020TrueSports Blog, NFL, Cowboys, TuaComment

XFL Puts Xtreme Focus on Fan Involvement

In two weeks, the XFL has already accomplished something the NFL, NBA and other leagues have been trying to do for years: involve the fans. League founder Vince McMahon has made sure those who watch the Xtreme Football League have a direct input in how the organization is run, in order to keep them engaged and involved in everything from the way the website is formatted to what rules…

TrueSports BlogCaleb S. SpinnerFebruary 17, 2020XFL, TrueSports Blog, Vince McMahonComment

Browns' DE Garrett Reinstated by NFL, Goodell

He’s back, Cleveland! On Wednesday, Cleveland Browns’ defensive end Myles Garrett was reinstated to the NFL for next season by commissioner Roger Goodell. Last season, Garrett was indefinitely suspended from the league after he removed the helmet of Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback Mason…

XFL In Good Shape After Opening Weekend

XFL founder Vince McMahon couldn’t have wished for a better start for his latest business endeavor. The opening weekend in this newest attempt at creating another professional American football league went off without a hitch, and drew a substantial audience to their televisions for the first four games…

TrueSports BlogCaleb S. SpinnerFebruary 10, 2020TrueSports Blog, XFL, Vince McMahon, FootballComment

The Future is Bright for the Cavaliers

Cleveland sports can’t seem to catch a break. Just as the Browns begin to show signs of life, the success of the Cavaliers begins to wither away. After losing LeBron James to the Los Angeles Lakers during free agency in 2018, the Cavaliers have struggled, and that’s an understatement. The Cavaliers will post...

TrueSports BlogCaleb S. SpinnerFebruary 7, 2020TrueSports Blog, NBA, Caleb Spinner, Cleveland CavaliersComment

What is Brady's Future in the NFL?

After two decades, the GOAT is up for grabs. Tom Brady, long-time quarterback of the New England Patriots, is now entering free agency for the first time in his illustrious career, and the NFL couldn’t be more abuzz with rumors on what’s next for the superstar. Predictions for Brady fall mostly into one of two categories: signs with…

TrueSports BlogCaleb S. SpinnerFebruary 3, 2020TrueSports Blog, Tom Brady, Caleb Spinner, NFL, Free AgencyComment

New Faces in Cleveland: Browns Hire New Head Coach and GM

Cleveland might be on the right track…finally. Over the past two weeks, Cleveland Browns' owner Jimmy Haslam has hired two welcomed additions to the front office: Minnesota Vikings' offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski as head coach and Philadelphia Eagles' vice president of player operations Andrew…

TrueSports BlogCaleb S. SpinnerJanuary 31, 2020nfl, Cleveland Browns, Kevin Stefanski, Andrew Berry, Jimmy Haslam, TrueSports BlogComment

More Than a Man...a Mentality

Kobe Bryant was more than a basketball player, more than a husband, and more than a father. He was an inspiration. Every day of his life, Kobe gave his all, often the first one to arrive at the gym for practice and games, and the last one to leave. His never-ending passion for his craft, and his devotion to the game of…

TrueSports BlogCaleb S. SpinnerJanuary 27, 2020TrueSports Blog, TrueSports, Kobe BryantComment