KCRW's The Score

Pacquaio Gold

podmaster@kcrw.org (Diana Nyad) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:44:00 EST

Boxing used to be a passion of mine. But it's been twenty years since I was constantly immersed in the fight game, since the glory days of Hagler, Hearns, Roberto Duran, Sugar Ray Leonard. I've missed traveling or tuning in to the big bouts that drew worldwide interest beyond boxing purists. And I'm not the only one. And now I'm not the only one to be drawn back to the ring and the draw is a terribly exciting, magnetic, highly skilled Filipino named Manny Pacquiao...

Agassi Confesses

podmaster@kcrw.org (Diana Nyad) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:44:00 EST

Andre Agassi's autobiography came out early this week and the chapter that has drawn the most attention is his admission to using crystal meth through much of 1997, during a down-time in his career? and lying about it to tour officials. I've read the book, titled Open, and, for me, the crystal meth confession was the least revelatory of all the Agassi life stories...

Rivera a Wonder

podmaster@kcrw.org (Diana Nyad) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:44:00 EST

As of last night, on a clear, chilly fall night in the Bronx, the Yankees became World Series champs for the 27th time in their storied history. How grand it was to see Mr. November, Derek Jeter, win his fifth ring. To stop worrying about Alex Rodriguez as he smashed his past of fading post-season. To admire the entirely likeable Andy Pettitte who commands the mound like a dependable, quiet giant. Matsui, Posada, Texeira, Damon. They're bursting with talent, brimming with heart, driven with focus. They're a heck of a team and it was a heck of a Series...

New York City Marathon for the Masses

podmaster@kcrw.org (Diana Nyad) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:22:13 EST

New Yorkers are abuzz with their Yankees back in the thick of the World Series here at the end of October. The annual first of November New York City Marathon is also running its 40th edition on Sunday and New York is as crazy for the event as it was in its early frenzy days of the 1970's. For the second year, more than 100,000 applied and 40,000 will step up to the starting line at the Verazzano Narrows Bridge...

Baseball Replay

podmaster@kcrw.org (Diana Nyad) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 19:44:00 EST

I'm joining the chorus that has long been begging for instant replay in baseball. There are examples of blown calls at crucial moments that made the difference in a team's winning or losing. For me, it was Tuesday night's Yankees/Angels American League Championship Series game that pushed me over the edge...a game that nobody could claim should have gone the other way...

Billie Jean's Night

podmaster@kcrw.org (Diana Nyad) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 20:00:51 EST

There are dozens upon dozens of black-tie fundraiser dinners throughout each year, usually backing worthwhile causes while offering special guests and entertainment. Tuesday night was the annual night for Billie Jean King's Women's Sports Foundation and it has been reported consistently throughout the 30 years of this dinner that it is the lively night that stands out among all the others. Veteran newswoman Cokie Roberts began her remarks on Tuesday by recounting just how many dreadfully dreary political evenings she had suffered through in that very Waldorf Astoria Ballroom...

Ironman Memory

podmaster@kcrw.org (Diana Nyad) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 19:44:00 EST

The sports world is awash with rich storylines this week. The baseball playoff season has kicked off with the Minnesota Twins willing their way out of their Metrodome and into Yankee Stadium with the nail-biting drama of perhaps the greatest regular season-ending game in baseball history...

Football a Danger Work Zone

podmaster@kcrw.org (Diana Nyad) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 19:44:00 EST

Mothers across America are either mandating or pleading that their sons don't play football, and if you read the weekly gridiron injury reports, moms' fears are well-founded. The NFL season is a mere three weeks old, yet the list of players already lost for the whole year is long...

Cowboys Stadium a Wonder

podmaster@kcrw.org (Diana Nyad) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 20:34:01 EST

Architects, journalists, and fans have toured various sports stadia to compare and comment on their myriad cozy charms and spectacular vistas. One of my favorites is Camden Yards, technically called Oriole Park, home of the Baltimore Orioles. Fairly new, finished in 1992, its intimacy, nestled within its urban surroundings, its eye-pleasing asymmetrical field pay homage to the magnificent urban ballparks built in the early 1900's...

Serena, Classless

podmaster@kcrw.org (Diana Nyad) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 20:11:35 EST

Serena Williams' outburst of angry obscenities has been cause for comment and debate all week, but I feel one major point has been missing from the discussion...