All sports have long and varied histories. Today let us explore the backgrounds of some of the most popular pastimes in the United States today.

GOLF

The game of golf has been around for centuries. The earliest reports put it in Scotland during the 13th century, where participants attempted to hit a leather ball with a stick into a hole several yards away. The winner was the one who sunk the ball into the pocket with the fewest hits, or “strokes.” The game naturally evolved to include multiple holes and obstacles like sandy hills and bodies of water. Golf was so popular in Scotland that King James II banned it during wartimes since many soldiers opted to play golf instead of partaking in military training. Thanks to the Prince of Wales travels, golf became popular among royalty of other countries and their subjects, including colonists in America. Early American golf clubs really gained traction during the economic boom of the 1920s.

BASEBALL

The myth that Civil War veteran, Abner Doubleday invented baseball before he went off to fight for the North was popularized by early baseball managers to invoke a sense of patriotism and grandeur into the budding sport. The truth is that baseball dates back before even the American Revolution. A hybrid of popular English games like rounders and cricket, both of which involved hitting a ball with a wooden stick, it was played by colonists both young and old. Even this primitive form was a danger to exterior windows, as an early 18th century law prohibited its play near government buildings. It was not until Alexander Cartwright instituted original rules into the game in 1845, however, that baseball as we know it today was born. When baseball went pro in the early 20th century there was a lull, but that soon ended when greats like Babe Ruth entered the diamond, leading to the beginning of Baseball’s “Golden Era.”

There’s your history lesson for today. Have any interesting trivia of your own? Share in the comments!

Many are crediting Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant for bringing the Golden State Warriors the Larry O’Brian Trophy after their Finals win. And they’re killer teamwork got us thinking about other dynamic duos in sports history. Here are some of the best team ups of all time.

Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison, Indianapolis Colts

With over 100 touchdowns in a decade of the twosomes’ careers as Colts, it is no wonder why they are considered one of the best partnerships in recent memory. They also helped the Colts reach the playoffs in nine of their ten seasons working together. The two did eventually win a Super Bowl together in 2006 and left the sport with numerous NFL records under their belts.

Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, Chicago Bulls

Many praise Jordan for his exquisite NBA career, but fans often forget about Jordan’s better half, Scottie Pippen. While Jordan dominated offensively, he would not have scored nearly as much if it were not for Pippen’s stellar defense. He was constantly guarding Jordan from attack, out of the spotlight. Pippen was no second fiddle either, as he proved when he confidently led the Bulls during Jordan’s baseball sabbatical. He also earned a spot of the U.S.A.’s Olympic “Dream Team” and, along with Jordan, is one of the one of the few NBA players to win a gold medal and basketball championship in the same year.

Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, New York Yankees

Part of the infamous “Murder Row” line up of the 1920’s Yankees, Ruth and Gehrig were dynamic together. These heavy hitters lead the Yanks to the World Series in 1922, ’28, and ’32. Collectively Ruth and Gehrig had a whopping 600 homeruns during their 10 seasons together. Unfortunately, like most sports duos, they had a tumultuous relationship off the field. It was not until years later when Lou Gehrig fell ill that the two finally buried the hatchet; a happy ending most in their line of work rarely get.

There you have it, some of the best matchups sports have to offer! Did we miss some of your favorite duos? Let us know in the comments which legendary team ups you think deserve recognition.

Today our culture enjoys a wide variety of athletic pastimes. People gather in stadiums and around televisions to watch the amazing spectacle of professional and amateur sports. These diversions are so well established however that we take for granted the long road they had to become household names.

American Football

Not to be confused with the more widespread sport known as soccer in the States, this western variation of the game is much more prominent in America. Played mostly in college during the late 19th century, football was actually formed from European rugby. Its divergence from its cousin occurred when Yale Alumni, Walter Camp, the “father of football,” established important regulations to the sport. This included adding lines of scrimmage, specifications for down-and-distance gameplay, and rules for interference. The most important contributions however come from the college coaches, who initiated the sport’s most important distinction from rugby, the forward pass. Quickly surpassing the college circuit, football came into its stride in 1932 when it was included in the Summer Olympics. It was not until the College All-Star game in 1934, however, that game solidified its status in American culture.

Basketball

The inception of this sport came almost as a counterpoint to the game of football. Creator, James Naismith was a physician looking for an activity that would improve the stamina of his patients, have playability in doors for winter months, and cause less injury than football. Starting out with a whopping 13 rules, the first basketball game was played in a gymnasium with a soccer ball and two peach baskets hung crudely for scoring. The final score of that 1891 game was 1-0. Basketball grew in popularity quickly. This is thanks to its introduction to the YMCA, which taught the sport to a wide range of athletics instructors. Then when the United States entered the First World War in 1917, the American Expeditionary took the game wherever they were stationed, spreading the basketball gospel.

Did you learn something new today? Let us know in the comments if you have any obscure facts to add to our article, or better yet if you know the difference between the Original Celtics and the Boston Celtics!

The Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers are going head to head in this year’s NBA Finals. The Finals are the pinnacle of the NBA season and lasting memories are sure to be made in 2017. Let us take some time and reflect over the glorious games of Finals past.

Game 7, 1957- Boston Celtics vs St. Louis Hawks

The earliest NBA Finals match up on our list; this bout went all the way to Game 7. Certainly not the only championship series to see a Game 7 conclusion, it is the only one to go into double overtime. The monumental final scores of Celtics 125 and Hawks 123, is a testament to how badly the two teams desired to be crowned champions. The Celtic win would also lay the foundation for their next 17 Championship wins, currently the most in the NBA.

Game 5, 2007- Eastern Conference Finals: Cleveland Cavaliers vs Detroit Pistons

A player that will be remembered by future basketball fans; LeBron James’ performance in this NBA Finals game solidified his position as one of the best athletes in the NBA today. Although the Pistons were the favored team that year, James and the Cavaliers entered the series with something to prove. Nothing could stop James, who eventually scored 39 of the Cavaliers last 40 points, and led the Cavaliers to a 109 – 107 victory.

Game 5, 1997 — Chicago Bulls 90 vs Utah Jazz 88

Michael Jordan is one of the greatest players to ever grace the court and this 1997 NBA Finals game only adds to his legend. Dubbed the “Flu Game” by fans, Jordan lead his Bulls to a Game five win all while battling a stomach flu. Spectators noticed the visibly fatigued Jordan, enter the stadium sweating buckets. They then witnessed him dominate the Utah defense. Chicago’s 90 – 88 victory helped the Bulls regain their lead in the series.

Did we miss any of your favorite NBA Finals moments? Do you think we will see another historic game during this year’s Final? Let us know in the comments!

For many, the individuals behind the scenes of the action on the field are just as important as the players in the game. Professional sports commentators are an integral part of any sport, and often build a lasting relationship with fans that keep them coming back for more. From notable catchphrases to trailblazing achievements, these sportscasters breathe life into the sports they narrate.

Al Michaels

Serving nearly 30 years as a commentator for the NFL, Michaels is a legend in the field. Starting his career on NBC, Michaels has lent his talents to a variety of sports over the years. His most memorable line probably comes from his reaction to the historic American hockey victory over the favored Soviet Union during the 1980 Winter Olympics. After the landmark triumph, Michaels famously announced, “Do you believe in miracles?” The line has since been used countless times in pop culture.

Vin Sally

Now retired, this long-time Dodgers personality is an excellent example of the impact a sports commentator can have on a team’s fan base. Scully’s name is almost synonymous with the MLB team, even following them from Brooklyn to Los Angeles. This iconic figure’s retirement in 2016, hit fans hard and he was voted by Dodger Heads as “Most Memorable Personality.” He also gets bonus points for having X-Files Agent Scully named in his honor.

Erin Andrews

One of the few females in a male dominated arena, Andrews is just as hardworking as any of her colleagues. Growing up with an Emmy-awarding winning father who was an investigative journalist, Andrews was raised watching professional sports. Currently on the Fox Sports pay-roll, fans will usually find her on the field during any major NFL game. Her tremendous impact on other women in her profession will surely be seen in the years to come.

Chick Hearn

Chick Hearn probably has more contributions to basketball than anyone else in his field. He singled-handedly invented phrases such as slam dunk, air ball, and no foul; all of which are now part of the sport’s literary cannon. His machine gun pace and spastic creativity was enjoyed by L.A. fans over the 37 years of his incredible career.

Well, did we forget any of your favorite sports commentator? Feel free to share your thoughts and favorite catch phrases in the comments!

German Marquez

 

A 22 year-old right hander is making a name for himself in the majors, as German Marquez owns a 3-2 record with a 3.86 ERA for the Colorado Rockies through his first 6 starts. This ERA is not screaming at you, but you must take into consideration that he has played 3 games in Coors Field so far this year. The biggest things to look for is his 3 quality starts in the first six games of the season, as well as his 7.7 K/9 on the year. After a rough rookie season with 6 starts, Marquez owned a 5.23 ERA, which is never a good sign for a pitcher.

But, after watching him play, he is completely commanding the strike zone, and he is going deeper into ball games, which is the most appealing thing to DFS players. The hardest part to overcome is the fact that German Marquez must play half his games in the hitter friendly Coors Field, but on the road, Marquez has been very solid as he produced 2 quality starts with 17 strikeouts, allowing 2 earned runs in 18 innings pitched. This young kid has some stuff in his game, so keep an eye on him when he is on the road.

 

 

Would I Start German Marquez In DFS?

Away, yes. At home, no. German Marquez appeared in my lineup against a struggling Philadelphia Phillies ball club, and he did not let me down. He produced a quality start with 6 strikeouts plus a win. When Marquez is at home, do not even consider starting him, as Coors Field is the home of the hitters, not the pitchers. Away though, I would start the 22 year-old, as his stat line has been absolutely incredible. As the season continues, do not let his high ERA fool you- he is playing in Colorado for half those games. His price is very reasonable, and I will take advantage of that as much as I can… only if he is playing against a weaker hitting ball club ON THE ROAD.

Now that summer is slowly becoming apparent, many are fleeing to pools and beaches. But there are other ways to stay cool. Museums across America offer an air-conditioned space to learn. Not a big fan of the conventional museum? No problem, there are numerous sport museums to visit all over the country. Here are just a few of the best locations to indulge your inner sports fan.

Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, MA

Named after the inventor of basketball, physician James Naismith, the Naismith Memorial often sees visitation from a wide array of basketball fans from all over the world throughout the year. It houses interactive history displays and an endless number of basketball memorabilia.

San Diego Hall of Champions in San Diego, CA

This is the place for every sports fan, since the facility offers a wide variety of sports to choose from. From football to skateboarding you can be sure to find it in the largest multi-sports museum in the United States. It is also a source of pride for locals, since all inductees are San Diego natives.

Hienz History Center in Pittsburg, PA

An affiliate of the Smithsonian institution, The Hienz History Center is a historic museum with plenty to offer history buffs. However, for our purposes we will focus on the Western Pennsylvania Sports Center within the confines of the Hienz Center. This “museum within a museum” is anything but modest. It is two floors, 20,000 square feet, and memorializes Pittsburg’s accomplishments to American sports going as far back as the 1920s.

Those are just a few great places to visit this summer! Does your hometown have an amazing sports museum? Give them a shout out or let us know if we missed any of your favorite spots in the comment section below!

Adam Frazier

The Pittsburgh Pirates may have finally found something in 25-year-old prospect Adam Frazier. His slow start this season had him buried in the bottom half of the order against most right handed pitchers. He has heated up as of late and now finds himself batting leadoff against right handed pitchers. Frazier is roping a .369 batting average in this first 24 games of the 2017 season. His one homerun and one stolen base is not anything to be too thrilled about, but his .418 OBP is unreal. The 25 year old is on a complete tear. In the last 7 days, Frazier is hitting .500 in 24 at bats, with 7 RBIs in that span. Add Frazier in all of you leagues, because he is looking to have a very bright future ahead of him.

Should You Start Adam Frazier In DFS?

 

Yes. Adam Frazier is an absolute machine. His OBP is what stands out the most, as .418 is exactly what you want from a leadoff man. His patience at the plate has been exceptional, and you should start him every single day. Frazier is not known to be an above .300 hitter, so he is eventually going to slow down, but we expect Frazier finishes with a batting average around .290-.295 with 5-10 homeruns, and 10+ stolen bases. His price is going to skyrocket in the DFS world shortly, which means take advantage of his value while you can.

 

We Take a Look at Aaron Altherr

 

The most under the radar player right now in the MLB is Aaron Altherr, as some people may have never even heard of him prior to this year. After a sluggish .197 Batting Average in 2016, Altherr is off to an incredible start, as he is batting .338 on the season, with 4 homeruns, and 3 stolen bases. The Phillies may have found something in this 26 year old prospect. He has inserted himself as an everyday outfielder, and has moved up to the top of the batting order over this past month of baseball. Aaron Altherr is a player that should be closely monitored. He may have had his struggles last year, but with the new hitting coach in Matt Stairs, the 26 year old right hander is swinging the bat more efficiently, and this year we expect him to breakout.

 

Is He DFS Worthy?

Sometimes. Since the start of the season, Aaron Altherr was the minimum price on Draftkings and Fanduel, but after his hot start, his price has definitely risen drastically. If Altherr is in the lineup against a pitcher that struggles, start him in all formats, since he has the ability to go deep, steal a base, as well as knock in some RBIs.

His wrist injury was throwing off his timing at the plate, but this year he looks to be back in full form. Aaron Altherr should be owned in all formats in terms of fantasy at this point due to his .338 batting average, and ability to hit homers, and steal bases.

A Look at Rookie Cody Bellinger

 

Twenty-one year old rookie Cody Bellinger is something special in the LA Dodgers organization. With Joc Pederson, and now Adrian Gonzalez, on the disabled list, Bellinger is taking full advantage of his call up to the majors. He is producing a slashing .342 batting average, with 4 homeruns in just 10 games. The rookie was supposed to be sent back down to the minors once Pederson returned to the roster, but it looks like he is not going to be sent down any time soon. The lefty has a staggering .737 slugging percentage, and a 1.127 OPS in his 10 games in the majors.

His stance may be ugly, but this kid can play baseball.  The only downfall to Bellinger, which is the case for most power hitters, is his strikeouts. He has been struck out 8 times in 38 at bats, which is just around 21% of the time. At this point, Bellinger should be added in most fantasy formats. He has power, a little bit of speed and plays multiple positions. He will be in the lineup more times than not against righties, and bats 5^th in the order- which means that he is going to drive in a lot of RBIs this year.