The Sports Archives – 5 Facts about the French Open!

Posted on June 7, 2011 by thesportsarchives

Special Thanks to Author:  Jonathan Piggins

The 2011 Roland Garros French Open is seeing some fantastic tennis – from Rafael Nadal’s fantastic form to Li Na’s historic entry as the first ever Chinese player to reach the French Open Final. As the French Open reaches an exciting conclusion we share a few interesting facts about the world’s most televised tennis tournament.

Fact 1 – It’s not actually called the “French Open”…
In fact to the French it has always been known as Les internationaux de France de Roland-Garros or Tournoi de Roland-Garros – The Roland Garros International tournament. It wasn’t always an international tournament either – it was a national tournament open only to members of French tennis clubs when it was first created back in 1891. It was opened up to international amateurs in 1925.

Fact 2 – Stade de Roland Garros was built to defend
The Stade de Roland Garros – the home of the French open – was constructed in the 1928 to host France’s first defence of the Davis cup after they won it on American soil the previous year. It is named after a famous French aviator (first to fly over the Mediterranean Sea) and World War I hero Roland Garros who was passionate about tennis.

Fact 3 – It’s here to stay… in Paris
The French Open has been held in Paris every year since 1891, except from 1939-1945, when it was canceled because of World War II. There have been discussions about moving the tournament to another venue as part of the rejuvenation project for the game however, it is certain that the Tournament will be played in Paris.

Fact 4 – Its not the luckiest venue for French players…
Only two men and three women from France have ever won a single’s title at the French Open – the last was Mary Pierce in 2000.

Fact 5 – It is the most difficult Tournament of the Grand Slams
The French Open is the only Grand Slam tournament played on clay courts – balls fly higher and slower meaning players require great stamina to keep up with play. Due to the slow surface, French Open is the most physically demanding tennis tournament in the world. Clay courts also take away some of the advantages of big serves and serve-and-volleyers, which makes it hard for serve-based players to dominate on this surface. Some extremely talented players with the game’s best serves (*cough* Roddick *cough*) have failed to win at the French Open for this reason. There is also no tiebreak in the final set at French Open in Men’s Singles matches.

Bonus – Fact 6 – Nadal dominates
The World’s top player has found huge success on this notoriously difficult surface. Last year’s champion, Rafa Nadal returns to the French Open with a very impressive track record – of the 39 matches he has played at the tournament he has won 38 – he has only ever lost 1 match at the French Open. What’s more, Nadal has never played a five-set match at the tournament.

We await the results of this tournament in great trepidation (especially seeing as we are rooting for GB’s Andy Murray!). With Wimbledon tickets being picked up in high demand this year is set to be a fantastic year for tennis fans everywhere!

Keith Prowse is the UK’s number one hospitality provider with a heritage in entertainment and ticketing for over 200 years. Keith Prowse has more official appointments than any other hospitality provider, including official tennis hospitality. Visit Keithprowse.co.uk for more information on Wimbledon 2011 hospitality tickets.

Posted: 06/07/2011

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The Sports Archives – FIFA Women’s World Cup – Mia Hamm

Posted on June 6, 2011 by thesportsarchives

Mariel Margaret Hamm, better known as Mia Hamm, was born on March 17, 1972 in Selma, Alabama.  She played forward many years for the United States women’s national soccer team, and scored more international goals (158) than any other player, male or female, in the history of the game.

Mia Hamm - US Women's Soccer Legend

Mia Hamm - US Women's Soccer Legend

Hamm is one of the most famous female athletes in the world, an icon of women’s sports, and an inspiration and role model to scores of sports-minded young girls.  One of the first to benefit from gender equality rights after Title IX was passed; she received college scholarships, endorsements and training opportunities in her climb to becoming a top superstar.  Mia Hamm won the women’s FIFA World Player of the Year award in the first two years that it was established (2001 and 2002).  She made Pelé’s list of one of FIFA’s 125 best living players and The Washington Post columnist Michael Wilbon called Hamm, “Perhaps the most important athlete of the last 15 years”.

Mia enrolled in the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and helped lead the Tar Heels to four NCAA women’s championships in five years.  In 95 games that Mia played, the Tar Heels only lost one.  She was All-American and Atlantic Coast Conference player of the year for her last three years and also won ACC Female Athlete of the Year in 1993 and 1994.  Mia also had a stint with the Sweetwater Red Devils in National City, California.

In 1991, at age 19, Hamm became the youngest American woman to win a World Cup championship when the US women’s national team won the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time.  Also, Mia played for the American National college team in the 1993 Summer Universiade losing to China, but gaining the silver medal.  She was leading scorer with 6 goals and graduated college with all-conference records of 103 goals, 72 assists and 278 total points.

In a game against Brazil on May 22, 1999, in Orlando, Florida, Hamm broke the all-time international goal record with her 158th goal.  Also in 1999, Nike named the largest building on their corporate campus after Hamm, and in that same year she helped lead the Women’s national team to it’s second FIFA Women’s World Cup victory final, a match that surpassed the Atlanta Olympic final as the most-attended women’s sports event, with over 90,000 filling the Rose Bowl.

She helped lead Team USA to a gold medal at the 2004 Olympics and was chosen by her fellow U.S. Olympians to carry the American flag at the Athens Closing Ceremonies. After the Olympics, Hamm and her teammates went on a “farewell tour” of the U.S., with the scheduled last game against Mexico, December 8, 2004.  Hamm had 2 assists in that game and the U.S. went on the win 5-0.

Mia Hamm retired from the soccer in 2004 after the “farewell tour”.  She was selected for induction into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in her first year of eligibility by receiving 137 of 141 ballots cast.  She was also inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame on March 11, 2008.

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The Sports Archives – Funny Sports Pictures – Series 1

Posted on June 4, 2011 by thesportsarchives
funny sports elephant basketball

"Interested in a little one on one...Shaq?"

Funny Sports Monkees Baseball

"I told you not to buy the tickets from that ape!"

funny sports monkee baseball

"C'mon...give it back...I hate that monkey!"

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The Sports Archives – More Indianapolis 500 Memories and Fun Facts

Posted on May 28, 2011 by thesportsarchives

Here are more interesting facts of past Indy 500 races:
(see The Sports Archives – Indianapolis 500 Memories and Fun Facts )

•    Wilbur Shaw won the 1937 Indianapolis 500 by 2.16 seconds over second place driver Ralph Hepburn.  Shaw’s Maserati 8CTF had a serious oil leak with 35 laps to go so he purposely slowed down to conserve oil.  The engine died just after he crossed the finish line edging out Hepburn.  (see The Sports Archives Greatest Moments – 1937 Indianapolis 500 )

•    The Indy 500 was suspended during both World Wars.  During WWI, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was used for a landing strip and the garages became hangars for army planes.

•    The 1916 Indy 500 was shortened to a 300 mile race because of the constraints of WWI.  With limited European participation and a reduction in US auto manufacturing;  Indy president Carl Fisher did not believe the older cars could endure the 500 mile race.

•    Ray Harroun won the 1911 Indy 500 with an average speed of about 74 MPH.  Peter DePaolo was the first winner to break 100 MPH when he won the 1925 Indy with an average speed of 101.27 MPH in his Duesenberg Special.

•    Al Unser won the 1970 Indianapolis 500.  Seventeen years later in 1987, he won it again!  He also won in 1971 and 1978.

•    To win or not to win?  Bobby Unser won the 1981 Indy 500 but was disqualified for violating a no-pass rule during a yellow caution.  Second place finisher Mario Andretti was named winner.  It wasn’t until 4+ months later that the protest was thrown out and Unser was re-instated as champion.

•    We all heard of relief pitchers, what about relief drivers?  In the early years of the Indy 500, it was not uncommon for relief drivers to take on some of the course to allow the main driver to refresh (sort of like when you take those long trips!).

•    How would you like to take your mechanic everywhere with you?  Until 1923, mechanics rode alongside drivers in the Indy 500 and would check oil pressure and instruct drivers of cars trying to pass.  (I don’t think this idea would fly in horse racing!)

•    The anthem of the Indy 500 is the song “Back Home Again in Indiana” which was first sung before the race by James Melton in 1946 and more recently by Jim Nabors in 1972.

•    The drink of the Indy 500 is milk which was established by Louis Meyer after winning the race in 1933 and requesting a drink of buttermilk.   In 1936, he was awarded a bottle of buttermilk after winning the race again.   A local dairy capitalized on the moment and subsequently offered each future winner a bottle of milk thereby starting the tradition.

•    The “Milk” tradition was broken in 1993 by winner Emerson Fittipaldi who drank orange juice because he owned orange groves and wanted to promote the citrus industry.  The action was naturally criticized and he was booed for his effort.  Later he tried to settle the score by taking a sip of milk, but the cameras had stopped rolling by then.

•    Indy 500 Memorabilia is big business and the National Indy 500 Collectors Club was established to give advice and support the trade of such collectibles.

•    At present, there are 3 drivers who have won the Indy 500 four times.   They are A.J. Foyt, Al Unser, and Rick Mears.  There are 5 drivers tied with 3 victories each.  Helio Castroneves is one of those that has a good shot of joining the 4-timer club.

Posted: 05/28/2011

Dario Franchitti

Dario Franchitti is a winner because he drinks milk at the Indy 500!

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The Sports Archives – Too Old to Skateboard?

Posted on May 26, 2011 by thesportsarchives

There are plenty of incredible older skaters out there and seeing them at the park or hearing about how Tony Hawk can still bust big vert tricks at the age of 43, just might be enough to send you running for the skate shop.

Tony Hawk tricking big at 40

Heed my advice on this though; when you wipe (you will!) it hurts like hell. I tried to return to skateboarding a few years ago, at 35. My understanding girlfriend was supportive of the idea, and probably bored of hearing about how much I missed it. In fact she provided the catalyst by getting me a lovely board for my birthday that year.

The Old Man Wipes in Style

That very same day, I hit the local skatepark, a well-known spot in Stockwell, South London. I went after dark, in disguise (ok the disguise is an exaggeration) so I could have some peace and quiet to see what I remembered without embarrassing myself too much.

To cut a long story short, I was soon happily rolling about, managing some nice smooth turns on the ramps, staying on my board over the bumps & ripples, and having the best birthday treat in years. After an hour or two of good gentle fun, I got my confidence back, pushing it slightly too hard… then CRUNCH.

coming down hard

(image: http://www.shockacomm.com/)
 

Yup, it’s true, kids are bouncy. But brittle, bony 35-year old me made one slip-up, reacted badly, and landed heavily on my jaw. I lost teeth, had concussion, a dislocation, got stitches in my chin and spent most of a week in bed, suffering. It felt like they make concrete harder these days, and sad to say, that board has stayed in the cupboard at home since that fall!

Local Resources – The Sea!

I don’t live in Stockwell anymore, having moved to the seaside a few years back. Last summer I was out walking by the beach with the kids, and lo and behold, hallelujah! There was some perfect surf, just east of Brighton Marina. I guess the surfer network gets word out quick when the waves are right, but every few minutes more surfers were arriving, wetsuits on and boards under their arms. Watching these people, all shapes, ages & sizes, out there riding some great waves just a mile or so from my home, got me wondering if I could get some exercise – and some board kicks – minus the concrete.

Hell, the first surfers were skateboarders on wheels, so why not reverse the trend?

Surfers in England

(image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/k_uk75/)
 

Getting set up for surfing wasn’t as expensive as I feared, and the sport really is fun. 1 year later surfing gets me in the sea I’d just looked at before. Paddling out, treading water, and trying some tricks is an effective but gentle workout for the whole body. The spills & wipes can be a shock, but seriously – compared to landing hard on concrete, these old bones don’t mind a bit.

With skateboarding, the gear was a major part of the obsession. We were always looking for the best trucks we could afford, admiring the new board designs and then tweaking our darlings with a spanner. Happily, I’ve found surfing meets those needs too, and I’m proud of my kit.

I was pleased to notice last weekend there is an overhead wakeboarding tow-line set up, with ramps, at nearby Hove Lagoon. This will be my next water sport challenge, so I’ve already got my eye on some funky o’brien wakeboards! Really… heed my words, fellow 30-somethings.

Unless you already have skills like Bam Margera, or can afford a lot of time off work with broken bones – surf don’t skate, it hurts a lot less.

I am an independent writer, father and jack-of-all-trades based near Brighton, UK. For anyone as interested in the gear as me – today I’ve been checking out board designs from Bic surfboards, as much as I love mine, this summer deserves an upgrade! I recently picked up a gorgeous ride from rusty surfboards for my eldest daughter and after trying a few makes including quiksilver, we have come to swear by Rip curl wetsuits. Believe me – you need a warm one for the English Channel! For my next adventure in water-borne thrills, O’brien wakeboards are looking extremely tempting… somebody stop me!? 😛

Posted: 05/26/2011

Special Thanks to Author: Gerry Bern

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The Sports Archives – Indianapolis 500 Memories and Fun Facts

Posted on May 25, 2011 by thesportsarchives

On May 29, 2011, everyone… “start your engines”… as the commencement of the 95th Indianapolis 500 and its 100th year anniversary will take place at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.  The race has run annual except for the battle years of WWI and WWII.  Some of the drivers to watch are last year’s champion and two-time winner Dario Franchitti in car 10; 3-time winner Helio Castroneves in car 3; 2008 Champion Scott Dixon in car 9; Team Penske’s Ryan Briscoe in car 6 and Will Power in car 12; (with a name like that, how could you lose?) and Danica Patrick in car 7.

Here are some interesting facts of past Indy 500 races:

  • The first Indianapolis 500 was won by Ray Harroun in 1911.  It took him 6 hours and 42 minutes to complete the 500 miles in a Marmon Model 32.  In 1990, Arie Luyendyk finished in 2 hours 41 minutes with his Chevrolet averaging a record speed of about 186 MPH.
  • Women were not allowed to enter the pit or garage areas of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway until 1971 (probably for the same reason women weren’t allowed on pirate ships)!
  • Janet Guthrie became the first woman in history to qualify and compete in the Indianapolis 500.   Her best race was in 1978 when she finished 9th.
  • Danica Patrick became the first woman in history to ever lead the Indy 500.  In her first ever start; she led 19 laps which is still a record among female competitors.
  • Driving while under the influence?  In 1913, Indy 500 winner Jules Goux of France drank chilled champagne during pit stops.  Could only have been French champagne!
  • In 1920, Gaston Chevrolet outdid his brother Louis (founder of Chevrolet) by winning the Indianapolis 500 in a redesigned Monroe-Frontenac.  Tragically, he lost his life in another race later the same year when his Frontenac crashed.
  • Who said racing wasn’t dangerous?  By the year 1928, over one third of the first 15 Indy 500 winners had suffered race-related deaths.
  • Who said watching racing wasn’t dangerous?  A spectator was killed when a loose tire went flying into the stands during the 1987 Indy 500.

Posted: 05/25/2011

Indianapolis 500

The Indianapolis 500 - "Start Your Engines"

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The Sports Archives Greatest Moments – 1912 Indianapolis 500 Push to Finish

Posted on May 24, 2011 by thesportsarchives

Ralph DePalma was one of the greatest race car drivers in the early 20th century. He earned first place in the Indianapolis 500 in 1915 and had won nearly 2000 races, including 24 American Champ car races.

However, before achieving greatness in 1915, DePalma was humbled by an incident that occurred while racing in the second Indy 500 race in 1912. DePalma was first and in control most of the race when, with just a few laps to go, his Mercedes engine broke down and the car was choking along at 20 miles per hour. DePalma had built up a large lead, but his car died on the last stretch of 199th lap. Needless to say, he didn’t finish first but refused to not finish and pushed the car across the finish line with help from his mechanic because completing the race in those days meant winning prize money!

Ralph DePalma

Ralph DePalma and mechanic pushing car to finish line in 1912 Indy 500.

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The Sports Archives – How a Fan Letter Contributed to Pitcher Steve Carlton’s Success

Posted on May 18, 2011 by thesportsarchives

From the book “You Can If You Think You Can’ by Norman Vincent Peale is a little known story about one of the best pitchers in baseball history.  Steve “Lefty” Carlton who spent most of his career with the St. Louis Cardinals and Philadelphia Phillies has won 4 Cy Young Awards and is presently second in total strikeouts by a left-handed pitcher.  He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1994.

According to the story, it wasn’t all glory for Carlton.  He had pitched well for St. Louis from 1965 to 1969, but started struggling in 1970.  He had 6 wins and 18 losses when he received a letter from a fan that commented on how well Carlton threw, but also added how Carlton did not seem positive on the mound.  The fan seemed to sense a lack of ambition or enthusiasm in Carlton’s performances.

The story goes on to explain how Carlton attributes a major turnaround in his career to that letter and a major change in attitude.  Carlton’s numbers speak for themselves; after that letter he went on to win 4 of his last 5 games that season and posted a 20-9 record the following season.

In 1972, Lefty was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies and had his best season yet, leading the league at 27-10 with an ERA of 1.97, 30 complete games, 8 shutouts and 310 strikeouts.  Carlton posted an amazing 46% of his team’s victories as the Phillies finished the year at 59 – 97.

It only goes to show that a few words, written or spoken, can go a long way!

Steve Carlton

Steve Carlton - A Believer of Fan Mail

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The Sports Archives – More Stanley Cup Memories and Fun Facts

Posted on May 15, 2011 by thesportsarchives

The 2011 Stanley Cup semi-finals are gearing up with the Tampa Bay Lightning taking on the Boston Bruins and the San Jose Sharks are up against the Vancouver Canucks.  To get you in the Stanley Cup mood, we thought you would enjoy some more interesting facts about the Stanley Cup and the Stanley Cup playoffs.  (see The Sports Archives – Stanley Cup Memories and Fun Facts).

  • The Boston Bruins have not won the Cup since 1971-72.  The Lightning took home the Cup in 2003-04 just 12 years after joining the NHL and 3 years after posting 4 consecutive seasons of 50 or more losses.
  • The San Jose Sharks have never been in the Stanley Cup finals and the Vancouver Canucks have never won the Stanley Cup in their 40 years of existence.
  • After winning the Stanley Cup in 1947, the Toronto Maple Leafs swept the next two Stanley Cup finals in 1948 and 1949 which gave them 9 consecutive Stanley Cup victories.
  • After just 9 years in the NHL, the New York Islanders eliminated their cross-town rivals, the New York Rangers (who were part of the ‘original six’), four years in a row from 1981 to 1984
  • Lester Patrick was 44 years young and coach of the 1928 New York Rangers when he put himself in for injured goalie Lorne Chabot and helped the Rangers win the Stanley Cup with a 2-1 overtime victory.
  • The player who has been on the most Stanley Cup championship teams is Henri Richard of the Montreal Canadiens.  Between the years 1955 and 1975, Henri Richard and the Canadiens won 11 Stanley Cup finals.
  • The individual who has his name engraved on the Stanley Cup more than anyone else is Jean Beliveau.  His name appears 17 times; 10 times as a player and 7 times for management.
  • There are names of 12 women engraved on the cup.  Charlotte Grahame was added when the Colorado Avalanche won the Cup in 2001 and her son, John Grahame, was added in 2004 as a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning, making them the only Mother-Son combination with both their names on the Cup.
Detroit Red Wings Stanley Cup

Who will hoist the Stanley Cup this year?

A great tradition of winning the Stanley Cup is when the captain of the winning team hoists it overhead and skates it around rink and then each player gets a turn to do the same.  It is said that Ted Lindsay of the 1950 Detroit Red Wings started the tradition of hoisting up the Cup so the fans can get a better look.  Later, the players share a drink of champagne from the bowl on top!

Posted: 05/15/2011

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The Sports Archives – The Players Championship and Signature Hole Number 17

Posted on May 9, 2011 by thesportsarchives

On May 12, 2011, the PGA Tour stops in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida for the Tournament Players Club at Sawgrass, also known as The Players Championship and TPC at Sawgrass.  The course is best known for its signature 17th hole.

The 17th hole is par-3 and 132 yards.  What’s so bad about that you ask? The hole is called the “Island Green” and is basically an island, a very small piece of real estate about 15 by 25 yards accessed by a narrow path leading up to it.  The island is built up on bulkheads about 3 feet above the surrounding lake surface.  But there’s more, the lake is infested with alligators… (no not really, we made that last part up, but it is Florida!)

Nevertheless, the hole will give the willies to any golfer; amateur or professional, and making par is reason to celebrate.  Golfers need to consider not only wind and water, but also the firmness of the green and it’s height above the water.  Oh yes, did we mention the golfer needs to consider the surrounding body of water?!

One of the greatest putts on the “Island Green” was a 60 footer executed brilliantly by Tiger Woods in the 2000 Players Championship.  You can see it here.

Still the best highlight of the infamous hole featured Steve Lowery who landed a great shot on the green during the 1998 Players Championship only to see his ball picked up by seagull which eventually dropped it into the water.  See the comical act here.  Lowery was able to play his ball where it had originally landed and a new hazard was announced for the 17th…beware of seagulls!

Posted: 5/9/2011

TPC at Sawgrass 17th Hole

TPC at Sawgrass 17th Hole - Beware of Seagulls

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