Columnists

Benson: Millen wasn't an expert when ruining the Lions

The NFL Network begins televising games Thursday when the Bears travel to play San Francisco. Telling us what's wrong with each team will be color analyst Matt Millen.

Nov 06, 2009 | 6:05 pm | Loading…

Kindred: Yankees' title is not rotten to the 'core'

The easy thing is to bemoan the $425 million the New York Yankees committed to three free agents in the offseason. If you needed another reason to loathe the richest franchise in professional sports, it was there for you months ago.

Nov 05, 2009 | 4:45 pm | Loading…

Benson: NASCAR needs to get its season done earlier

In case you missed it, the NASCAR season is still going on.

Oct 30, 2009 | 7:50 pm | Loading…

Kindred: BHS linemen playing on, just how Dad would expect

Normally, "quiet" is fine with Dane Thornton. The Bloomington High School senior admits he is not much for conversation. "I don't talk at all," he said, managing a half-smile.

Oct 29, 2009 | 6:45 pm | Loading…

Deacon: Addition to Series pregame sure to entertain

The Philadelphia Phillies are four wins away from a repeat championship. The New York Yankees are four victories shy of their 27th title overall and first in nearly a decade.

Oct 27, 2009 | 9:55 pm | Loading…

Kindred: Silence not an option for McGwire now

Just talk. That's all we ask. Just stand before us, look into the cameras - i.e. the whites of our eyes - and tell us.

Oct 27, 2009 | 5:40 pm | Loading…

Randy Reinhardt's NL MVP pick

Pantagraph sportswriter Randy Reinhardt lists his top five choices for the National League Most Valuable Player Award:

Oct 26, 2009 | 5:55 pm | Loading…

Tupper: Keeping Zook puts Guenther out on a limb

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The man who on Tuesday said he would wait until the end of the season to evaluate the Illini football program has apparently seen enough to make his biggest decision now.

Oct 24, 2009 | 5:25 pm | Loading…

Benson: Caliendo makes Fox pregame show best

The NFL pregame shows on Sunday morning are all alike.

Oct 23, 2009 | 6:40 pm | Loading…

Kindred: If the (adidas) shoe fits, Jordan should wear it

The University of Central Florida has awarded Marcus Jordan a full scholarship to play basketball at the school. Michael Jordan's youngest son is getting a free college education, a product of athletic merit, not financial need.

Oct 22, 2009 | 6:35 pm | Loading…

Kindred: A corn crib without rats? Count me in

The corn crib on the family farm in Atlanta didn't have naming rights. No need for that. We called it all kinds of names, particularly in late August or early September.

Oct 20, 2009 | 7:05 pm | Loading…

Tupper: In the zone, or not, with Illini hoops

Every man, woman and child who has ever played, coached or watched basketball believes they know three things:

Oct 19, 2009 | 11:45 pm | Loading…

Benson: Root, root, root for Phillies or Angels

Watching the rest of the baseball playoffs will be difficult enough for Cardinal fans. It's going to be a long wait until pitchers and catchers report in February.

Oct 16, 2009 | 5:50 pm | Loading…

Tupper: Young guards push Illini's McCamey

CHAMPAIGN - No one kept an official count on how many times Illini basketball coach Bruce Weber called guard Demetri McCamey "lazy" last season.

Oct 13, 2009 | 11:45 pm | Loading…

Tupper: How long is Guenther's leash on Zook?

There were tears in the Illini football locker room after the Rose Bowl on New Year's Day 2008. It was sadness at not being able to win a revered bowl game in a beautiful college setting.

Oct 12, 2009 | 6:55 pm | Loading…

Tupper: Little to build on in Illini loss

CHAMPAIGN - What you take from Illinois' 24-14 loss to Michigan State on Saturday depends on where you're sitting.

Oct 12, 2009 | 12:50 am | Loading…

Benson: Postseason baseball can put you to sleep

First baseman Albert Pujols caught the throw from a St. Louis Cardinals infielder for an out. No one was on base, but Pujols immediately returned the ball to the pitcher instead of throwing it around the infield.

Oct 09, 2009 | 5:45 pm | Loading…

Kindred: Concussions take QB out of the game

Jace Mortimer drove home from football practice on Sept. 16. He must have. His car ended up at his Bloomington address.

Oct 08, 2009 | 6:20 pm | Loading…

Tupper: Illini need a spark that will bring back swagger

If you watched the Minnesota Vikings defensive line terrorize the Green Bay Packers Monday night, you saw a group playing with what coaches call "swagger."

Oct 07, 2009 | 4:50 pm | Loading…

Kindred: Lexington star on pace to crush records

Among the charms of sports is the opportunity to witness things you've never seen. Go to a baseball game and you might see an unassisted triple play. Most of us have not.

Oct 06, 2009 | 11:55 pm | Loading…

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