2B
SPORTS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
QUOTE OF THE DAY
"At media day I said I wouldn't hide my excitement for what I thought she could do for our program, and I'm not going to try to hide my disappointment for her. For her and her family, that's just not a very fun part of this profession."
Bonnie Henrickson on Angel Goodrich's knee injury in October Kansas women's basketball coach
FACT OF THE DAY
Freshman guard Angel Goodrich was the second Kansas freshman guard to injure her knee in two years. Freshman Chakeitha Weldon tore her ACL in the middle of the 2007-2008 season. Weldon eventually transferred to Appalachian State.
— Kansas Athletics
TRIVIA OF THE DAY
Q: How many newcomers will see the court for the first time for Kansas women's basketball next season?
A: Seven. The Jayhawks recruiting class ballooned to six yesterday and freshman Angel Goodrich's season was ended by injury.
Kansas Athletics
VOLLEYBALL Caroline Jarmoc signs letter of intent for KU
Kansas Volleyball added Caroline Jarmoc from Calgary, Alberta, Canada, as the second player to sign a letter of intent this season. Jarmoc, middle blocker, will help fill the void from middle blockers Savannah Noyes and Natalie Uhart's graduation.
"She is an athletic and versatile middle blocker who can influence a match with her attacking and blocking," coach Ray Bechard said in a statement. "She has the skill set necessary to develop into a six-rotation player."
Josh Bowe
BOXING
BOXING
Oscar De La Hoya retires after winning 10 titles
LOS ANGELES — Oscar De La Hoya knew it was time to retire after Manny Pacquiao pummeled him into submission in December. Still, he wavered another four months before persuading himself to let go.
De La Hoya ended a 16-year career in which he won 10 world titles in six divisions.
"These four months have been very difficult for me," the 36-year-old native of East Los Angeles told hundreds of fans gathered Tuesday at an outdoor plaza across from Staples Center
"This decision was based on making sure, first of all, that I do not disappoint anyone when I step inside the ring, that I don't disappoint myself, and I make sure that I can watch my kids grow up."
Associated Press
Royals can pitch but can't hit
So here's the thing about the Royals. They can pitch. Yes they can pitch really.
COMMENTARY
Starting pitchers Gil Meche.
Starting pitcher Pete McNeil Zack Greinke and Kyle Davies comprise the best starting trio in the American League Central, perhaps one of the best in the American League. Closer Joakim Soria is a force of nature. Kansas City hasn't seen an athlete this dominant since Priest Holmes in his prime.
But here's another thing about the Royals. They can't hit. At least, not very well.
And this is where Mike Jacobs comes in. Here's what you need to know about Jacobs. He's a California guy. He wears his hair spiked upwards — sorta like Guile from Street Fighter. He has a patterned tattoo on his arm. And he can crush.
After struggling in the Royals' opening series last week against the White Sox, Jacobs found his stroke in the first homestand of the season. He hit .389 with two home runs, three doubles and four RBIs. And on Wednesday
afternoon against the Indians, he hit a 429-foot Ruthian blast to center field. The ball struck the side of the cement base that sits at the bottom of the Crown Vision scoreboard. And I have to admit, I felt sorry for the cement base.
"People shouldn't put too much into just not getting a couple of hits the first couple of games, and panicking that somebody's swing is not where it should be," Jacobs said on Wednesday. "We don't put too much stock into it, so hopefully other people won't as well."
Jacobs said he wasn't worried about his slow start. It was, after all, only three games.
Of course, Jacobs strikes out a lot. He struck out 119 times last season as a Florida Marlin. Of course, he also hit 32 homers.
And here's another thing about
the Royals. Did you know that the record for home runs in a season by a Kansas City Royal is 36? Steve Ballboni hit 36 home runs in 1985. It could be one of the most embarrassing records in all of sports. Think about it like this: The Royals survived the Steroid Era with nobody hitting more than 36 home runs. Well, at least we know that the Royals were clean. At least, we hope so.
So yes, Jacobs will strike out a lot. But he will also crush home runs into the orbit around Kauffman Stadium. And did I mention that he's donating $500 to Operation Breakthrough in Kansas City for every dinger he swats? What a guy, huh?
The NBA playoffs begin this weekend, and for the third consecutive year, a former Jayhawk
Yes. I don't believe the Royals have had a player with this much raw power since BoJackson. Listen Balboni, you're time is up.
NBA PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS
has a good chance at earning a ring. Paul Pierce and Scot Pollard won a title with the Celtics last year, and Jacque Vaughn was backup on the Spurs championship team in 2007.
This year, Darnell Jackson's Cavaliers should take home the title. If they can beat the Lakers, of course, Drew Gooden and Mario Chalmers will also be making playoff cameos as well. Gooden with the Spurs and Chalmers with the Heat. The Morning Brew would love to take the Lakers, but nobody is stopping the Cavs this year. Cavaliers over Lakers in six games.
Edited by Realle Roth
soccer schedule
Coach Mark Francis announced the Kansas soccer team's fall schedule yesterday. The Jayhawks finished 13-8-2 in 2008, reaching the second round of the NCAA tournament.
Aug. 22 Drake (exhibition) Des Moines, Iowa September 25 @ Oklahoma State Stillwater, Okla.
Aug. 28 Pepperdine Knoxville, Tenn. September 27 @ Oral Roberts Tulsa, Okla.
Aug. 30 Arizona St. Knoxville, Tenn. October 2 @ Texas A&M College Station, Texas
Sept. 4 Long Beach State Lawrence October 4 @ Texas Austin, Texas
Sept. 6 Rhode Island Lawrence October 9 Texas Tech Lawrence
Sept. 11 Denver Colorado Springs, Colo. October 11 Colorado Lawrence
Sept. 13 Colorado College Colorado Springs, Colo. October 16 @ Oklahoma Norman, Okla.
Sept. 18-20 Kansas Invitational Lawrence October 18 @ Baylor Waco, Texas
Sept. 18 MO State vs South Dakota St. October 23 Nebraska Lawrence
KU vs San Diego October 25 Iowa State Lawrence
Sept. 20 MO State vs San Diego October 30 Missouri Lawrence
KU vs South Dakota St.
I love you,man
ASSOCIATED PRESS Chelsea's Frank Lampard, right, Petr Cech, center, and Michael Ballack celebrate their victory against Champions League quarterfinal second leg soccer match at Stamford Bridge, London, Tuesday.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
THIS WEEK IN KANSAS ATHLETICS
Track & field Kansas Relays All day Lawrence
Baseball
Texas Tech,
6:30 p.m.
Lubbock, Texas
THURSDAY
Track & field Kansas Relays, All day Lawrence
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
TODAY
Track & field Kansas Relays, All day Lawrence
Tennis
Texas, 12 p.m.
Lawrence
reduce.reuse RECYCLE
Softball Texas, 1, p.m. Austin, Texas
SUNDAY
Men's golf
Texas A&M
Aggie Invitational
All day
College Station,
Texas
Rowing
Day 1, All day
Oak Ridge, Tenn.
Track & field Kansas Relays, all day law
Softball Texas, Noon Austin, Texas
Tennis
Texas A&M
11 a.m.
Lawrence
Baseball Texas Tech, 5 p.m. Lubbock, Texas
Women's golf
Lady Buckeye
Invitational,
All day
Columbus, Ohio
Women's golf
Lady Buckeye
Invitational
Columbus, Ohio
Soccer
South Dakota,
TBA
Omaha, Neb.
Men's golf
Texas A&M
Aggie Invitational
College Station,
Texas
Baseball
Texas Tech, 1 p.m.
Lubbock, Texas
Rowing
Day 2, All day
Oak Ridge, Tenn
MONDAY No events
}