Category Archives: Sports

MLB World Series 2017

Unlike last year’s World Series, the 2017 World Series isn’t such a heartbreaker, once in a lifetime event, with a team who hasn’t made a World Series in 100+ years. This year’s World Series includes the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Houston Astros. The Dodgers finished with a regular season record of 104 wins and 58 loses and a .642 winning percentage. The Astros finished with a regular season record of 101 wins and 61 loses and a .623 winning percentage.

At the end of the regular season, and going into the playoffs, the Dodgers and the Astros both were being looked at as teams that could go to the World Series. The Dodgers having the best record in the MLB, and the Astros having the third behind the Cleveland Indians; they both were contenders for the final game.

The Dodgers played the Arizona Diamondbacks, and won their series in three games 3-0. Then they matched up against the Chicago Cubs for five games, and won the series 4-1.

The Astros played the Boston Red Sox for four games, and won the series 3-1. They next played the New York Yankees for seven nail biting games, but came out with the series victory to play the Dodgers in the World Series.

In the first game of the World Series, the Dodgers took a 3-1 win riding behind pitcher Clayton Kershaw, who pitched a total of seven innings, had 11 strikeouts, three hits allowed, and only a single run allowed.

In game 2, the Astros came out with a 7-6 win and were able to hold on through the 11th inning, and set a record for most home runs hit in a World Series game (which was seven, but after game two it became eight).

Game 3 was a less dramatic game, with the Astros winning a crowd loving game, 5-3 over the Dodgers.

Game 4 was a better game for the Dodgers, with a 6-1 lead in the ninth inning that lead to a 6-2 win over the Astros.

Game 5 of the series was a hard battle for both teams. The game lasted almost 6 hours, and was the most watched telecast since Super Bowl LI in February. It went back and forth with the game tied in the 7th, to the Astros up in the 9th 9-12, to a tie game in the 9th at 12-12. But at last, the Astros came around to win with a final score of 13-12.

Game 6 had the Astros up 3-2 in the series and the Dodgers needed to win to force a game 7. The Dodgers were ready to bring everything they had to bring one last game home, and bring a World Series home to Los Angeles. Game 6 was a pitchers battle, and it all came down to the pitchers being able to throw strikes and make plays. In the 7th inning, the score was 3-1, and the Dodgers were looking clear for the win if they can hold on. The Dodgers ended up holding on and forcing a game 7 to decide it all.

In game 7, the Astros won the final game in an easy 6-1 win. The Astros are now your 2017 World Series champs, and all us MLB fans are looking forward to next year’s season.

Sports schedule for: Nov 6-11

For  a full calendar of events please refer to: http://www.sports.spps.org

Winter Sports: Co-ed Nordic Ski, Adapted Floor Hockey, Gymnastics, Girls Basketball, Boys Basketball, Wrestling, Girls Hockey, Boys Hockey, Boys Swimming, Danceline, Cheerleading, Alpine Ski

Activities the Week of November 6-11

Monday Nov. 6:

Tuesday Nov. 7:

Wednesday Nov. 8

Thursday Nov. 9:

Girls Swim Section Prelims 5pm @ South View Middle School, Edina

Friday Nov. 10:

Varsity  ‘Blades’ Girls Hockey vs. Owatonna @ Phalen Arena 7pm

Girls Diving Section Finals 6pm @ South View Middle School, Edina-

Saturday Nov. 11:

Girls Swim Section Finals 1pm @ South View Middle School, Edina

Go Scots!

Sports schedule for: Oct 20-Nov 4

For  a full calendar of events please refer to: http://www.sports.spps.org

Winter Sports: Co-ed Nordic Ski, Adapted Floor Hockey, Gymnastics, Girls Basketball, Boys Basketball, Wrestling, Girls Hockey, Boys Hockey, Boys Swimming, Danceline, Cheerleading, Alpine Ski

Activities the Week of Oct. 30-Nov.4

Monday Oct. 30:

Adapted CI Soccer @ Humboldt 4:30pm Hawks vs. North Tartan

Tuesday Oct. 31:

Wednesday Nov. 1

Thursday Nov. 2:

Adapted PI Soccer @ Humboldt 4:30pm Hawks vs. South Suburban

Friday Nov. 3:

Saturday Nov. 4:

Go Scots!

Highland Park Athletic Hall of Fame

By: Gabe Mattick and Riley Lumpkin

On Saturday, October 7th, 2017, Highland Park Senior High inducted the following individuals, and teams, into the Athletic Hall of Fame: John Heller, Louise Kramer, Charles Portis, Gary Podas, the 1999 Basketball Team, and the 1977 Volleyball Team. All of the inductees that were inducted into the Highland Park Athletic Hall Of Fame had notable accomplishments in their sports, while also helping the school thrive.

photo taken from: https://www.spps.org/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&DomainID=38&ModuleInstanceID=54850&ViewID=6446EE88-D30C-497E-9316-3F8874B3E108&RenderLoc=0&FlexDataID=75358&PageID=69

We attended the luncheon on Saturday morning, and listened to the various inductees and what they had to say. The first inductee was John Heller. He served as Head Football Coach from 1985-2000 and as the Athletic Director from 1995-2009. He did not say much about his accomplishments as the Highland Park football coach, but focused more on his amazing achievements as the Athletic Director. In an approximately 15 minute speech, he gave the audience a great story of how he was able, with the help of many parents, students, and teachers, to add on a field house to the school, and help install brand new lights onto the football field.

The next inductee was Charles Portis, and the 1999 Boys Basketball Team. Charles Portis was a school counselor and coached boys basketball from 1989-2010. He helped lead the 1999 Boys Basketball Team to a great season and a state title.

Next up, was Louise Kramer and the 1977 Girls Volleyball Team. No one from the 1977 team was able to attend the luncheon, and neither was Ms. Kramer, but we did get to hear a few words of their accomplishments, including a quote from Ms. Kathleen Kramer (who is not related the coach of the 1977 Volleyball Team) “The team that year went 6-0 in conference and went on later that year to win the state tournament with coach Louise Kramer.” Kramer coached from 1972-1978.

The final inductee was Gary Podas, who is the current golf coach at Highland Park Senior High. He has been the coach of the boys golf team since 1979, and has lead numerous boys golf teams to conference titles and state. He is the longest serving coach in the SPPS district.

NBA athletes and their pay

According to businessinsider.com, NBA players are the highest paid players in the world, (right behind the NBA are cricket players in India), with an average player making $6.4 million a year. The NBA has had many players that have been paid millions of dollars to shoot and dribble a basketball. Some of the NBA’s best players are being paid anywhere from 20-30 million dollars.

This year NBA players have been getting paid higher than ever. Stephen Curry, the point guard from the Golden State Warriors, got paid a 5-year, 201 million dollar contract to play with the Warriors. This would make his annual salary just about 34 million dollars. Behind him is Lebron James, the small forward from the Cleveland Cavaliers. Lebron James has a current annual salary of about 30.3 million dollars. The third current highest paid NBA player is Paul Millsap, the power forward from the Denver Nuggets. His annual salary is about 31 million dollars. Some of the highest paid players in the NBA are paid so much just to stay with their current team and not leave to play somewhere else.

One of the most recent pay boosts is Andrew Wiggins from our local team, the Minnesota Timberwolves. He recently signed a 5 year, 150 million dollar deal. The contract had been available to him for some time now, but he didn’t take it because he wanted to let all his fans and teammates know that he wanted to stay in Minnesota no matter what and that pay wasn’t something that was a deciding factor. Wiggins, like most players, want to be seen to be players that don’t care about pay and love playing the game itself. The NBA likes to advertise their players as people who care and love where they play.

Many people believe that all the money NBA players make is from their play on the court, but a lot of their money and earnings come from off-court things. This can, and does include: advertisements, sponsors, charity, appearances on TV, and the internet. As the years pass, more and more player in the NBA tend to get paid more and more on and off the court.

Sports schedule for: Oct 23-Nov 1

For  a full calendar of events please refer to: http://www.sports.spps.org

Fall Sports: Co-ed Cross-country,Adapted Soccer, Football,Girls Soccer, Boys Soccer, Volleyball, Girls Tennis, Girls Swimming. Danceline, Cheerleading

Activities the Week of Oct. 23-Nov. 1

Monday  Oct. 23

Volleyball Twin CIties Match @ Mpls. Southwest  C-Squad & JV 5:30pm  Varsity @ 7pm  (Bus 4:15/8:15pm)

Danceline begins

Tuesday Oct. 24

Varsity Volleyball @ HP TBD

Girls Swim Varsity Twin Cites Meet @ Mpls. Southwest 5pm (Bus 4:30/8:30pm)

Wednesday Oct. 25

Co-Ed Cross Country Sectional @ Bolstad- University GC 3pm (Bus 1:30/5:30pm)

Girls Varsity Conference Diving @ Humboldt 6pm(Bus 4/8pm)

Thursday Oct. 26

Girls Swim Varsity Conference Meet @ St. Catherine’s 6pm

Friday Oct. 27

Saturday Oct 28

Mon.Oct. 30:

Girls ‘Blades’ Hockey begins

Tues: Oct. 31:

Wed. Nov. 1

Girls Swim Varsity Twin Cities Meet TBD @ Mpls. Site 6pm

Thurs. Nov. 2

Fri Nov. 3:

Sat. Nov. 4:

State Cross Country Championship @ St. Olaf College (Bus 7:30/12pm)

Go Scots!

Minnesota Twins vs New York Yankees Wild Card game

On Tuesday, October 3rd, Brian Dozier and the Minnesota Twins faced sensational rookie Aaron Judge and the New York Yankees in the American League Wildcard Game. Aaron Judge, who is six foot seven, hit a rookie record 52 home runs this year, breaking Mark McGwire’s record of 49 home runs as a rookie in 1987. Along with Aaron Judge, the Yankees have a good pitching staff, boasting an ERA over the 2017 season of 3.72. They also had an astounding 1,560 strikeouts! But the most impressive of the pitching staff? Rookie pitcher Luis Severino. Throughout the season he was constantly in the Cy Young Race (Award for the league’s best pitcher; awarded in both the National League and American League) and had an impressive 2.98 ERA with 230 strikeouts. He will start on Tuesday.

With the Yankees seeming to be the favorite in the Wild Card matchup, don’t count out the Minnesota Twins. According to Baseball Reference, the Minnesota Twins ranked 9th in the American League in home runs, with 206, and 4th in the AL in batting average, with .260. The Twins offense, lead by second baseman Brian Dozier, who lead the team in home runs (34) and RBI (93), will look for a spark from him in the Wild Card game. The Twins will also be looking for production from Joe Mauer, who finished the season with an impressive batting average of .305.

The ace of the Twins, Ervin Santana, also had an impressive season. He finished the year with a 3.28 ERA, 16 wins, 211.1 innings pitched, 5 complete games, and 167 strikeouts. With Ervin Santana on the mound Tuesday, the Yankees have something to fear.

Both with impressive rosters, powerful offenses, and great pitching staffs, this is bound to be a great matchup. The American League Wild Card Game will be played at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, October 3rd, at 8 P.M. Go Twins!

Additional information can be found at: http://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=371003110

Sports schedule for: Oct 16-21

For  a full calendar of events please refer to: http://www.sports.spps.org

Fall Sports: Co-ed Cross-country, Adapted Soccer, Football,Girls Soccer, Boys Soccer, Volleyball, Girls Tennis, Girls Swimming, Danceline, Cheerleading

Activities the Week of October 16-21

Monday Oct. 16:

Volleyball @ Humboldt  JV & C-Squad 5:30pm  Varsity @ 7pm

Tuesday Oct. 17:

Co-Ed Cross Country @ Como Park GC 3pm

Girls Swim Meet @ Humboldt 5pm

Volleyball @ Johnson JV & C-Squad 5:30pm  Varsity 7pm

Wednesday Oct. 18:

Varsity Football vs. New Life Academy @ St.Croix Prep 7pm

Thursday Oct. 19:

B-Squad Football vs. New Life Academy @ Health East Sports Center 4:15pm

Friday Oct. 20:

Saturday Oct. 21:

Go Scots!

NFL national anthem protests

Before every game, whether it’s for high school or the pros, the national anthem plays and we stand to face the flag. Lately, many of the pro sports players haven’t been standing for the anthem. Players in the NFL have been kneeling during the anthem. “Why?” some might ask. It’s because they are protesting against police brutality and racial injustice.

The protests began on August 26, 2016, when then 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick would not stand during the national anthem according to ProCon.org. Many people have conflicting views regarding the players’ actions, the president of the United States has given his opinion, as well as the National Football League.

President Trump has tweeted out many things about the protests, some of which say the players should be fired. He believes what they are doing in disrespectful to our country. Trump told Vice President Pence to attend a 49ers game, who then left right after the anthem, after seeing players kneel, instead of stand, says Jeremy Woo from Sports Illustrated.

The NFL has stated that they are not making any plans at the moment to make players stand during the national anthem. They are “trying to move from protest to progress, working to bring people together” states a spokesperson from the NFL. Commissioner Roger Goodell wrote to all 32 teams saying “Like many of our fans, we believe that everyone should stand for the National Anthem.” Mid-October, players in the league are expected to go to New York to discuss plans to solve the issue and create a positive change within the NFL and the country.

Overall, it seems everyone would like a change in some form. Players would like to see a change in society. The president would like to see a change in the NFL. And the NFL would like everyone to be positive.

Trump takes NBA by storm

Lately in the news, our president, Donald Trump, has been having issues with sports and its players. Trump has been making many different statements on the NFL and the whole dilemma about players kneeling during the national anthem and protesting during NFL games.

After an NBA team wins the finals, they earn a trip to go to the White House and shake hands with the president, they also get to give the president a custom made jersey, and many other things. Our past president, Barack Obama, was able to get custom jerseys from the Golden State Warriors (2015 NBA finals champs), the New England Patriots (2017 NFL Super Bowl champs), The Los Angeles Lakers (2010 NBA finals champs), and many others college and pro champions.

This past year, the Golden State Warriors won the NBA finals and beat the Cleveland Cavaliers four games to one in a five game series. Just like every year previous, the Warriors were going to head to the capital of our country and go and meet Donald Trump to give him his personalized jersey. All this was going well until Trump decided to make comments on the recent NFL protests, and that the players who are participating in these protests should “be fired,” and shouldn’t be able to play anymore.

Being a humble man, Stephen Curry, the superstar point guard from the Warriors, responded to the president’s tweet, as reported by the Washington Post, “And by acting and not going, hopefully, that will inspire some change when it comes to what we tolerate in this country and what is accepted and what we turn a blind eye to.”

Shortly after Curry made his remark, President Donald Trump tweeted out “Going to the White House is considered a great honor for a championship team. Stephen Curry is hesitating, therefore invitation is withdrawn.” According to the Washington Post, the Warriors responded to his tweet saying that they were fine with not going to the White House and they would “Constructively use our trip to the nation’s capital in February to celebrate equality, diversion, and inclusion.” 

In recent times, NBA commissioner Adam Silver, responded to the matter with multiple responses on the NBA’s official website. “I have a general concern as a citizen that there’s a huge gap – call it a gulf – in our society right now, and it’s incredibly divisive. And I believe this league can play a role in attempting to unify people.” He stated during an interview that he knows of an NBA rule that states that all players and coaches must stand during the national anthem.

Since 16 of the 32 states that NBA teams are based in voted for Trump, Silver was asked if he thought players making statements would offend the NBA fans. Silver replied with a no saying that he doesn’t think that players speaking out will be an issue.

According to the NBA’s official website, NBA player Lebron James commented on Silver’s response to a tweet he (Lebron) had made earlier on his personal twitter account “He (Trump) used the sports platform to try and divide us and sports is so amazing and what it can for everyone. No matter the shape, size, race, ethnicity, religion, etc.. People find many things because of sports and it bring people together….. I’m not going to let, while i have this platform to let one Individual no matter what the power he/she should have use sports to divide us.” 

Right now, sports and politics are colliding for reasons under the sole purpose of someone wanting to stand for something they believe in or stand for. These players are only trying to make a point for what they believe in and are being accused of doing something wrong by someone who should be leading our country and not saying words that upset us and divide us. After these events we should know how to stay together as a whole country and not let individual opinions of certain people change how we see things.