Courtside Post

By Spencer Loomis

Following his move into the #10 spot on the all time HR list, Spencer Loomis speculates as to whether Jim Thome has had a Hall of Fame career or has just been lucky to dodge the magnifying glass of the steroid era.

Jared Dudley tweeted today the his sources are telling him that Lebron James will be announcing that he is signing with the New York Knicks tomorrow. On what is being called “Lebron James Day” among some sports fans, King James has scheduled a press conference for 7:00 PM ET tomorrow for a prime time announcement [...]

Following his 183 game match against Nicolas Mahut, John Isner visited Dave Letterman to give the Top 10 thoughts he had during the record breaking match.
Hopefully he is enjoying his moment in the sun, he certainly earned it. However if he is to maintain his public profile the 6′9″ American will have to start winning [...]

By Spencer Loomis

After vowing to never miss another birthday of one of his children, Tiger Woods missed his daughter’s 3rd birthday while competing in the U.S. Open. He threw her a party after the fact to make up for it, but reportedly brought another woman with him.

Bill Clinton stole the show over the US’s last two games, making a post game locker room appearance and cheering on our boys side by side with Mick Jagger.

In reaction to Jim Joyce’s blown call preventing Armando Gallaraga’s would be perfect game, isn’t it time for the MLB to evolve?

by Spencer Loomis
While preparing my article on Tiger Woods’ return to golf at this weekend’s Masters, a mutual friend put me in touch with a Nike employee who is currently present at Augusta National for the tournament.   The rep was tight lipped and reserved in providing me even with comments about the general culture of [...]

by Spencer Loomis

In 1931, golf legend Bobby Jones fresh off what was considered the Grand Slam at the time ( having won the US and British Opens and Amateur Championships in 1930) purchased a plot of land in Georgia known then as Fruitlands Nursery. There Jones built his dream course and opened Augusta National Golf Club. His prowess drew immediate attention to its annual invitational tournament which was first held in 1934. Jones felt it was too pretentious to call the tournament “The Masters” but his co-owner and business partner Clifford Roberts eventually convinced him and so it has been known since 1938. Nearly 80 years after Jones bought the land the hallowed grounds of Augusta National continue to echo with the footsteps of legends like Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer, and Jack Nicklaus.

by Spencer Loomis

Stephon Marbury left for the Chinese Basketball Association’s Shanxi club in January with hopes of finding a new market for his Starbury brand shoes and apparel line. Well it seems he left some unfinished business behind here in the states. Marbury launched his Starbury line with the aid of the Agency Sports Management LLC, which according to their website “is a full-service marketing and management company specializing in the representation of high-profile personalities and brands.”

by Spencer Loomis

Clearly the press has been anything but positive for Tiger Woods since his Thanksgiving debacle but the old adage seems to be proving true: any publicity is good publicity.

Golfsmith, the nation’s largest golf retailer, has reported that sales of Tiger Woods brand apparel through Nike are up 8% in the last five months compared with the same five month period from a year ago. From October 1st, 2009 through March 13th, 2010 Golfsmith sold 9,564 TW brand items; up from 8,855 from the same dates the previous year.