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Top 10
Every weekend we endeavor to pull out a topical and insightful list to an event in the coming week.
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Top 10: Redskins' most disappointing seasons
Published: Nov 01, 2009
Is 2009 destined to become the most disappointing season in the 73-year history of the Washington Redskins? Disappointment is not just about the record. It’s about expectations. Consider the following seasons:
10. 1980 (6-10)
Unhappy with his contract and the Redskins’ failure to make the playoffs despite a 10-6 record in 1979, John Riggins sits out the season. His replacement, Wilbur Jackson, has more fumbles (10) than touchdowns (4). Jack Pardee guides the Redskins to a 3-0 finish, but it isn’t enough to save his job.
WORST SKINS RECORDS
Going by record alone, the two worst seasons in Redskins history came back-to-back. In 1960 and 1961, the Redskins won one game...
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Top 5: Area college basketball players to watch
Published: Nov 08, 2009
The five biggest college basketball programs in Washington are all in various states of rebuilding. Here are the biggest building blocks on each team:
1. Greg Monroe, center, Georgetown, sophomore
The area’s only projected NBA Draft lottery pick resides on Old Hilltop. The latest in a long line of stellar big men for the Hoyas, Monroe is the star around which Georgetown will revolve. His ability to read the game and distribute make him unique at his position, but scoring (12.5 ppg) and rebounding (6.5 rpg) will be how he gets Georgetown back on track.
2. Greivis Vasquez, guard, Maryland, senior
We’re going out on a limb and guessing that Vasquez’s play, not his mouth,...
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Top 10: NBA players to watch for the 2009-10 season
Published: Oct 25, 2009
These guys are a mix of the best, worst, newest or oldest and they are the players that are going to determine the course of the 2009-10 NBA season.
10. Gilbert Arenas, Wizards guard
Don’t get distracted by his decision to talk to the press or not. The focus is on Arenas’ left knee and whether it is indeed finally healed. If so, Agent Zero will thrive — and then some — under new head coach Flip Saunders. If Arenas leads Washington to the turnaround their capable of, the Wizards have a real chance to upset the balance of power in the East.
9. LeBron James, Cavaliers forward
Impending free agency for King James next summer should take a back seat to the Cavaliers...
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Top 10: LCS moments from the past 25 years
Published: Oct 18, 2009
Some of Major League Baseball's iconic postseason moments don't happen in the World Series at all. The League Championship Series can be just as good as teams fight for a pennant. Will this year's matchups add one to the list?
10. Brilliant Livo, 1997 NLCS
The Marlins became the first wild-card team to reach the World Series. Livan Hernandez was awesome in Game 5 with a complete-game three hitter. He outdueled Greg Maddux -- with some serious help from umpire Eric Gregg's strike zone -- in a 2-1 win. Hernandez also won Game 3 in relief.
BEFORE THE LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
The Shot Heard 'Round the World, 1951
Back in the days before divisions and expanded playoffs there was only...
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Top 10: Presidents Cup moments
Published: Oct 11, 2009
The Presidents Cup is only in its eighth iteration. In the biannual team competition between the best golfers in the U.S. and their counterparts from the rest of the world, excluding Europe, the Americans have lost only once. Still, the event has produced many memorable moments. Here are the top ten:
10. Ken Venturi, 2000
At Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville, Va., the U.S. bounces back from its only Presidents Cup loss, to win by the most lopsided margin in Cup history, 21.5-10.5. Captain Ken Venturi’s team was led by Stewart Cink and Davis Love III.
Fans divided about decision
on how 2003 Cup ended
When U.S. captain Jack Nicklaus and International captain Gary Player...
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Top 10: Memorable baseball playoff races in divisional era
Published: Oct 04, 2009
Baseball fans didn't have any memorable pennant races this season. Most division titles have been wrapped up for a while now, with the exception of the AL Central. So instead, let's look at some post-1969 races that did go down to the wire:
10. Mets vs. Reds, 1999
The two teams met in Cincinnati for a one-game playoff to determine the NL wild card. Al Leiter pitched the Mets into the postseason with a complete-game two-hitter. The Reds didn't advance a runner even as far as second base until the ninth inning of a 5-0 loss.
When will the Nats or O's be in a playoff race?
One day we'll see a pennant race in Baltimore or Washington again -- just not any time soon. The last pennant race...
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