![[SPORTS] BROWNS FIRE HUE JACKSON](https://i0.wp.com/sloppyvinyl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/img_8387-1.jpg?resize=618%2C410&ssl=1)
by sloppyvinyl | Oct 29, 2018 | SPORTS
Browns Give Hue The Hook After Two Years Plus Seasons Of Losses
One of the most inglorious runs at head coach in NFL history is finally over as the Cleveland Browns are moving on from their embattled coach.
The Cleveland Browns fired coach Hue Jackson on Monday morning after two plus seasons as head coach.
The firing comes a day after the Cleveland Browns lost 33-18 to the Pittsburgh Steelers, their third consecutive loss to drop them to 2-5-1.
In two plus seasons as Browns head coach Hue Jackson went 3-36-1, the worst mark over that stretch.
The Browns went 1-15 in Jackson’s first season before completing a dubious 0-16 campaign last season.
The Browns hired John Dorsey as general manager late last season, and in a surprising move, Dorsey elected to keep on Jackson after he compiled a 1-31 mark over two seasons.
There were rumors ahead of Sunday’s game vs the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field that Hue Jackson was coaching for his job because of the turmoil developed between he and Browns’ offensive coordinator Todd Haley.
There were talks that the relationship between Hue Jackson andTodd Haley had fallen off course completely and that a move was strongly being considered by Cleveland’s front office pending Sunday’s result.
Jackson, who was the head coach of the Oakland Raiders back in 2011 when he led Oakland to an 8-8 mark, served as an offensive coordinator in Cincinnati for a few seasons.
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Jackson’s 3-36-1 mark is the worst in NFL history for a head coach for one team (minimum 40 games).
The Cleveland Browns will host the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday at FirstEnergy Stadium.
Was this the right call to fire Hue Jackson? Leave your comments below!
![[SPORTS] RED SOX CLINCH NINTH WORLD SERIES TITLE; PEARCE NAMED MVP](https://i0.wp.com/sloppyvinyl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/img_8386-1.jpg?resize=652%2C435&ssl=1)
by sloppyvinyl | Oct 29, 2018 | SPORTS
The Price Is Right For Boston Red Sox In 2018
David Price wanted to pitch in Game 4 on two days rest for the Red Sox and lobbied for that spot to manager Alex Cora.
All Alex Cora gave his veteran left-hander was an opportunity to help the Red Sox seal another World Series title in the rich and storied history of the franchise.
As has been the case throughout the entire season which started Lee County, Florida in the blistering heat to the bitter cold of October baseball in Boston, Massachusetts, the Boston Red Sox saw a familiar theme at the end of Game 5 and because of it they are now MLB world champions.
The Boston Red Sox defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-1 on Sunday night at Dodger Stadium in Game 5 of the World Series to clinch their fourth title in 15 years.
Red Sox first baseman Steve Pearce hit two home runs on Sunday night, the first a two-run blast to left center field in the first inning to put Boston up early in Game 5 vs the Los Angeles Dodgers.
He would homer again in the eighth inning to pad Boston’s lead as the Red Sox felt the moment sinking in.
Those efforts led to 35-year-old veteran being named World Series MVP. He batted .333 for the series while hitting three home runs and driving in eight RBIs.
Mookie Betts and J.D. Martinez, two of Boston’s best hitters during the 2018 season, joined in on the home run festivities later as Boston rode David Price’s hot-hand in a convincing World Series clincher.
It was a 108-54 regular-season for the Boston Red Sox, but still the Red Sox were doubted in even getting past the ALDS.
Talent-wise, the Boston Red Sox were a tremendous team in 2018, one that infused young talent with veteran talent.
Beyond the talent, a snake-like makeup to strike at anytime as they were a resilient and mentally tough team throughout the season.
That toughness was on display in their ability to win and battle through injuries to key players and also with two outs on offense as they treat most of their at-bats as if it’s the final out in the ninth inning.
This team deserves its credit for being as dominant as they were all season long, including in the postseason where they went 11-3.
Alex Cora was the sixth manager in Red Sox franchise history to make it to the World Series in his first year as manager. Like Jake Stahl, Ed Barrow, Terry Francona and John Farrell, he’s a winner like them as well.
A big reason why he’s a winner like those other four gentlemen is his belief in his players, players like David Price.
David Price (2-0) capped his triumphant 2018 postseason by being the winning starter for the Boston Red Sox in a championship clinching win.
Price went on to allow one run on three hits and two walks while striking out five over seven dominant innings.
The way David Price reversed his playoff fortunes in 2018 will be looked at as nothing short of remarkable as the former AL Cy Young Award winner.
0-9 in 11 career postseason starts after faltering in Game 2 of the ALDS vs the New York Yankees, Price went stepped up for the world champion Boston Red Sox.
He weathered the storm against an Astros offense that jumped on him to begin Game 2 of the ALCS to leave that game with the lead in the fifth inning.
He then went on to dominate the Houston Astros in AL Pennant clinching win in Game 5 of the ALCS before delivering in two starts here in the World Series, with this start being arguably the sweetest of his career.
Chris Sale would get the final three outs of Game 5 as the Boston Red Sox celebrated their ninth world championship in Dodger Stadium.
Sale, who was traded over to the Boston Red Sox in December 2016, was looked at as the central piece to a championship in the starting rotation for Boston.
Injuries to his throwing shoulder hampered him for much of the second half and in the postseason, but it didn’t stop the perennial All-Star from striking out the side to help make Boston’s dreams a reality.
Clayton Kershaw (0-2) was tabbed with his second loss in the World Series after a mixed performance in a must-win Game 5 to save Los Angeles’ season.
The Dodgers ace allowed Boston to get an early advantage on the two-run dinger by Steve Pearce and then gave up two more later in the game.
It’s hard to blame Kershaw for losing Game 5 when the Dodgers offense continued its fruitless adventure on offense as it has throughout this postseason when they don’t hit a home run, but in the end, Kershaw yet again failed to match his regular-season dominance.
The Los Angeles Dodgers hit .179 as a team in the World Series, a stat that illustrates Los Angeles never truly had a read on the Boston Red Sox pitching.
Another heartbreaking end to a season mixed with ups and downs, Dave Roberts and the Los Angeles Dodgers will have a long winter to look forward to as they digest their second World Series loss in as many years.
For Boston, they are on top of the MLB world as world champions and they will not be going anywhere anytime soon as they look to repeat as champions in 2019.
What are your thoughts on the Boston Red Sox winning the World Series? Leave your comments below!
![[SPORTS] CURRY, DURANT HELP WARRIORS DENY NETS OF COMEBACK BID](https://i0.wp.com/sloppyvinyl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/img_8385-1.jpg?resize=756%2C478&ssl=1)
by sloppyvinyl | Oct 29, 2018 | SPORTS
Nets Come Up Short Of Shocker At Home
The Brooklyn Nets had little time to look back on what could’ve been in New Orleans on Friday night as they were forced to turn their attentions to a home visit from the defending NBA champions.
The Golden State Warriors defeated the Brooklyn Nets 120-114 on Sunday evening at the Barclays Center to hand Brooklyn their third loss in the past four games.
Behind their dynamic MVP scoring duo of Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant, the Golden State Warriors were too much as they improved to 6-1 on the early season.
Stephen Curry finished with a game-high 35 points, which included a huge 3-pointer with 1:02 remaining in the fourth, as he filled the Brooklyn sky with seven 3-pointers. He also added seven rebounds and three assists to his line.
It was a record-breaking showing for Curry, who broke George McCloud’s record of six games with at least five 3-pointers to begin the season as he had his seventh game doing so to start the season.
Kevin Durant finished with an efficient scoring line of 34 points to go along with eight rebounds, six assists, one steal and one block.
Brooklyn, looking to bounce back from a self-inflicted defeat on Friday night vs the New Orleans Pelicans, fought hard to get into the game in the fourth quarter.
The Nets trailed by 16 to begin the fourth quarter, but with a surge led by D’Angelo Russell, Brooklyn cut Golden State’s lead two points with 1:55 remaining in the game.
D’Angelo Russell finished with a team-high 25 points, hitting five 3-pointers while adding six rebounds and six assists to his line for the night.
Caris LeVert bounced back from a tough shooting night on Friday as he finished with 23 points, seven assists and three rebounds.
The Warriors shot 49 percent from the field vs the Nets, making up for a so-so shooting night from beyond the arc by winning on the glass 47-37 and limiting Brooklyn’s free throw opportunities (10-for-15 FT).
The Nets continue to hit 3s at a impressive clip as they hit 20 3-pointers on Sunday, surpassing their season-high total of 19 from their previous game vs the Pelicans.
What Nets coach Kenny Atkinson will love about today’s game in a loss is that they held the NBA’s most prolific 3-point shooting team in the Golden State Warriors to 33 percent from beyond the arc.
The Nets are playing good basketball, with some areas of improvement on both sides of the ball still needed.
They will get an opportunity to end their two-game skid against their cross city rival New York Knicks on Monday night at Madison Square Garden.
What are your thoughts on the Nets tough loss to Golden State? Leave your comments below!
![[SPORTS] PEARCE, RED SOX STAGE LATE RALLY TO TAKE GAME 4](https://i0.wp.com/sloppyvinyl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/img_8367-1-1.jpg?resize=960%2C650&ssl=1)
by sloppyvinyl | Oct 28, 2018 | SPORTS
Red Sox One Win Away From Title
A never die attitude from the Boston Red Sox has Boston looking to seize the moment it’s worked all season long for while leaving the Los Angeles Dodgers reeling.
It would be ‘the other guys’ doing the damage for the Boston Red Sox on Saturday night.
The Boston Red Sox used a late rally in the later innings to down the Los Angeles Dodgers 9-6 on Saturday night at Dodger Stadium in Game 4 of the World Series to take a commanding 3-1 series lead.
Steve Pearce tied the game in the eighth inning with a home run off Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen, who gave up a homer the previous night to Jackie Bradley Jr.
After a one-out double by Brock Holt in the ninth inning, Rafael Devers would record an RBI double to help Boston complete a late comeback in L.A. from four runs down.
Following an intentional walk to Mookie Betts and a infield single by Andrew Benintendi with two outs, Pearce would put Boston up for good with a bases clearing double in the gap in right field to give Boston a four-run lead that became a five-run lead after the inning.
Boston scored nine runs unanswered to stun the Dodgers home faithful, who saw their late edge disappear in a matter of minutes.
The Red Sox recorded only one hit through nearly seven innings.
Their second hit of the game, a three-run homer by Mitch Moreland off Ryan Madson with two outs in the seventh inning, brought them within a run.
Boston collected seven hits over the final two and a third innings, coming alive when it mattered most as they had come close to seeing their 2-0 lead wasted.
Between the two teams early on, it appeared Boston’s offense looked like they were suffering the effects of the 18 inning marathon the night before.
They were handcuffed offensively by veteran left-hander Rich Hill.
Rich Hill continued the Dodgers starting pitching dominance at home in the postseason as Hill mystified the Red Sox excellent lineup in his fourth start of this postseason.
The 38-year-old veteran would go on to allow one run on one hit and three walks while striking out seven over six and two-thirds innings.
Boston received a strong start from Edwin Rodriguez up until he was beat on a 3-1 pitch with two outs in the sixth.
While his three-run homer surrendered by Yasiel Puig dampened his start to a degree, Rodriguez gave the Red Sox an opportunity a night after wild circumstances forced would-be Game 4 starter Nathan Eovaldi into six innings in extra innings in Game 3.
Rodriguez finished the game allowing four runs on four hits and two walks while striking out six over five and two-thirds innings.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora saw a gamble leaving in Edwin Rodriguez with a rising pitch count backfire, but what didn’t was the resiliency of his ball club which once again showed in the biggest moments of this game.
A move that would’ve been second guessed by many serves as a mere footnote now.
Boston is a win away from lifting their ninth world championship in franchise history.
Game 4 marked the first time in Boston Red Sox franchise history that they have ever come back from a four-run deficit in the seventh inning or later.
With their ace going on the mound in Game 5, they’ll look to secure their fourth world title since 2004.
For Dave Roberts, a day after playing the equivalent of two games in a 18 inning marathon, it was his team that showed the better poise, focus and execution for much of Game 4 until a nightmarish final three innings put Los Angeles on the brink.
Kenley Jansen has not been good here in the World Series, something that was a must considering the opponent.
In back-to-back games now he has blown late leads in the eighth inning on home run balls.
The inability of Scott Alexander to throw a strike to a lefty coupled with Ryan Madson, Kenta Maeda and others not being able to limit the damage cost Los Angeles dearly.
The Dodgers haven’t scored runs for much of this series without a home run, so when a four-run lead is lost in the manner that was on Saturday night, it’s a nail in the coffin to those relievers psych who allowed the comeback to manifest itself.
A complete 180 from a night ago when the bullpen outside of Kenley Jansen could do no wrong, they did everything to lose Game 4 which puts Los Angeles in a uncomfortable situation.
The only team to ever come back from a 3-1 deficit in World Series history are the 16′ Chicago Cubs vs the Cleveland Indians, who won Game 5 at home before winning the final two games in Cleveland.
The Los Angeles Dodgers will send Clayton Kershaw to the mound on Sunday night as he will be opposed by left-hander Chris Sale in a pivotal Game 5.
Who has the edge now in the World Series? Leave your comments below!
![[SPORTS] JACOBS WINS HARD-FOUGHT SPLIT-DECISION OVER DEREVYANCHENKO](https://i0.wp.com/sloppyvinyl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/img_8366-1.jpg?resize=1080%2C675&ssl=1)
by sloppyvinyl | Oct 28, 2018 | SPORTS
Jacobs Another Middleweight World Title Belt
Daniel Jacobs knows a thing or two about winning a world title.
Winning another world title on Saturday night would have to come against a familiar and formidable foe who knows him all too well.
Daniel Jacobs (35-2, 29 KOs) defeated Sergiy Derevyanchenko (12-1, 10 KOs) on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden to win a vacant IBF middleweight title belt.
Two judges scored the fight 115-112 for Daniel Jacobs while one judge scored it 114-113 to Sergiy Derevyanchenko.
Daniel Jacobs landed 181 out of 578 total punches (31%) while landing 137 out of 306 power punches (45%). Sergiy Dervyanchenko landed 160 out of 658 total punches (24%) while landing 137 out of 482 power punches (28%).
The headline coming into this bout was that it was a matchup of two former sparring partners who after many times in the ring opposite each other, had a very unique feel and understanding for what each brings to the table.
After well over 300 rounds with Derevyanchenko, Jacobs knew he was in for a fight even if others didn’t quite believe he would.
“Much hats off to Sergiy Derevyanchenko. He’s a true competitor,” Jacobs said after the fight. “I knew exactly what I was getting myself into. For those who said this was gonna be an easy fight didn’t know very much about Sergiy Derevyanchenko.
“I knew exactly what this guy had underneath that heart, he showed true grit. I take my hats off to him, nothing but respect. But I felt like I dug deep (during the fight). I felt like I used my range and tried to use my boxing ability and the outside as much as I can because those are my best attributes.”
Jacobs would get an early knockdown against Derevyanchenko, who’s knees touched the ground after taking a hard right hand over the top near the ropes, but a knockout would not be in the cards on this night.
The early rounds saw Jacobs build a slight edge on the cards as he used solid work to the body against his opponent in a tactical battle.
Derevyanchenko would begin working the body in the middle rounds, getting the attention of Jacobs, who was under siege by the 32-year-old Ukrainian.
The two would slug it out in the sixth round, with Jacobs building confidence after landing a strong left-hand shot that wobbled Derevyanchenko.
While being okay with Derevyanchenko leading the dance, Jacobs left his mark fighting from a distance while winning a number of the exchanges on the inside.
Most of the later rounds saw Jacobs uses his better fundamentals as a boxer to land the cleaner and harder shots while Derevyanchenko kept a steady and aggressive pace, having his moments in a entertaining fight.
In the end, Jacobs, the better boxer of the two on the night, had his hand raised in victory after 12 rounds of action.
“I wanted it to be an entertaining fight. I wanted him to get his shots off and then I knew when it would be time for me to get mines off,” Jacobs said. “He looked like he was gassing in the fifth round. From sparring him I know that he get a little tired in rounds. Seeing his fights (and) studying him. So I knew if I let him load up and miss the shots I could come back and hopefully get another knockout.”
Daniel Jacobs failed to get the knockout, instead settling for a razor close win on the score cards in a place he looks at as a second home in New York City.
The Brownsville native has not recorded a knockout victory since September 9th, 2016 as he’s gone 3-1 since then, with his lone loss being a close unanimous decision loss to longtime middleweight kingpin Gennady Golovkin on March 18th, 2017.
Still, Jacobs standing among the top 160-pound fighters in the world is undeniable. Having won 15 out of his past 16 fights and now the IBF middleweight title, Jacobs understands his place in the middleweight landscape.
When asked by HBO’s Max Kellerman if he would want a fight with Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez in the near future, Jacobs let his interest be known.
“We absolutely want Canelo,” Jacobs said while smiling. “I think that’s a fight that the fans want. Especially those who were in agreeance with me when I say I feel like I beat GGG [Gennady Golovkin]. This will be a great fight for the fans and now that I have the strap there’s gonna be more in the pudding for everybody. So let’s make this fight happen.”
What are your thoughts on Daniel Jacobs’ win on Saturday night? Leave your comments below!
![[SPORTS] UFC FIGHT NIGHT 138 RECAP: SMITH SUBMITS OEZDEMIR IN ROUND 3](https://i0.wp.com/sloppyvinyl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/img_8365-1.jpg?resize=1080%2C675&ssl=1)
by sloppyvinyl | Oct 28, 2018 | SPORTS
Smith Wins Entertaining Main Event To Continue Roll
Anthony Smith has been a man willing to take on all challenges thrown his way since beginning his amateur MMA career as a teenager.
A main event matchup with a powerful and scary force in Volkan Oezdemir represented the kind of opportunity Smith has dreamed of.
Anthony Smith (31-13, 7-3 UFC) defeated Volkan Oezdemir (15-3, 3-2 UFC) by 3rd-Round submission on Saturday night at Avenir Centre in Moncton, New Brunswick Canada.
On a main event stage for the second time in as many fights, Anthony Smith delivered once again in a physically taxing and grueling showdown with Volkan Oezdemir.
The fight would begin with Anthony Smith trying to take the fight to the ground in the opening moments only to have the takedown stuffed.
Oezdemir would control the clinch against the fence against Smith, hammering him with knees to the thighs.
The number two ranked light heavyweight contender in the world controlled the first round with his combinations and aggressiveness.
A notable moment in the round occurred after the two fighters broke from the clinch as Oezdemir blasted Smith with a solid 1-2 combination near the fence before unleashing a flurry afterwards.
Hard leg kicks from “No Time” would force Smith to be aggressive with his striking as he would turn it on in the second round, charging forward with hard combinations.
Oezdemir would land a nice takedown on Smith, gaining control of his back where he would plaster the Corpus Christi native with right hands for a majority of the round.
As round three began, there was a dramatic change in mentality taken by Smith, who began applying pressure on his opponent in ways none of Oezdemir’s prior opponents have come close to in fear of his punch power.
Smith would bang Oezdemir with hard right overhands and mix in elbow strikes, getting a nice trip on his opponent as well.
Smith would land a takedown on Volkan Oezdemir, battling to the back of his opponent. With Oezdemir not fighting the hooks and carelessly surrendering his neck, Smith would secure a tight choke around the neck of Oezdemir.
With well over a minute left in round three, Oezdemir was game in trying to survive, but would ultimately tap out after Smith re-adjusted his choke.
Smith, rolling to his sixth victory in his past seven fights, picked up his biggest UFC victory to date as he knocked off a man who owns victories over Ovince Saint Preaux, Misha Cirkunov and Jimi Manuwa and in January fought for the UFC light heavyweight title against champion Daniel Cormier.
In a division with a dearth of contenders who are winning in impressive fashion, it’s Smith who stands out the most right now among contenders.
Afterwards, the versatile 30-year-old mixed-martial artist called for a title shot in a emotional plea to UFC president Dana White and matchmaker Sean Shelby.
He may just get his wish.
Smith’s submission win on Saturday night gave him his 29th finish of his MMA career.
The rest of the UFC Fight Night 138 results are below.
UFC Fight Night 138 Results
Michael Johnson puts it all together in unanimous decision win over Artem Lobov
Misha Cirkunov uses arm triangle choke to submit Patrick Cummins in Round 1
Andre Soukhamthath controls the action in unanimous decision win over Jonathan Martinez
Gian Villante takes exciting brawl vs Ed Herman by split-decision
Court McGee grinds past Alex Garcia for unanimous decision win
Sean Strickland punishes Nordine Taleb with 2nd Round TKO victory
Nasrat Haqparast holds off tough Thibault Gouti with unanimous decision victory
Calvin Kattar turns back aggressive Chris Fishgold with 1st Round TKO win
Sarah Moras does enough to out-point Talita Bernardo for unanimous decision win
Don Madge plasters Te’Jovan Edwards with head kick for highlight reel 2nd round KO
Arjan Singh Bhullar gets competitive unanimous decision win over Marcelo Golm
Jessin Ayari pieces up Stevie Ray in Unanimous decision victory
What are your takeaways from UFC Fight Night 138? Leave your comments below!
