RealClearSports: This Time, Sharks Come Through

By Art Spander
For RealClearSports.com

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The sharpest dart, the one that figuratively drew blood and might have drawn someone into an argument, came from the captain, Joe Thornton, weary from having the truth told about his team, the San Jose Sharks.

The Sharks have gained a reputation, and it's hardly the sort any franchise or individual wishes. They've been described as failures, a hockey team that performs well through the regular season and early rounds of the playoffs, then falls apart.

Read the full story here.

© RealClearSports 2011

RealClearSports: Exorbitant Salaries? Just Supply and Demand

By Art Spander
For RealClearSports.com

In Britain, where austerity is in vogue and government budget cuts affect the health system, schools and other vital services, Liverpool of the Premier League signed free-agent soccer star Joe Cole for four years at $7.4 million a year. Hardly austere.

On this side of the Atlantic, the New Jersey Devils, based in Newark, a city with an unemployment rate of more than 13 percent, happily re-signed Ilya Kovalchuk to a 17-year, $102 million contract. Even though rejected by the National Hockey League, it disturbed many citizens.

Read the full story here.

© RealClearSports 2010

SF Examiner: Spring unkind to Bay Area teams

By Art Spander
Special to The Examiner

The San Jose Sharks — they’re not to be confused with the San Jose A’s. The A’s still are playing. So are the San Francisco Giants, unfortunately.

If it weren’t for the Houston Astros, the Giants would have a losing record. If it weren’t for the Giants, the A’s would have a losing record. If it weren’t for the Sharks, we’d have to rely on the Warriors’ lottery selection for the story that never ends.

Read the full story here.

Copyright 2010 SF Newspaper Company

RealClearSports: Sharks: Smoke, Fire and More Disappointment

By Art Spander
For RealClearSports.com

Steve Jobs, the poo-bah from Apple, has invented a new sport. He and his wealthy pals from down here in Silicon Valley buy those Segway machines, the ones that look part scooter, part cycle and cost a cool $5,000. Then they use them to play polo.

Cheaper than a string of ponies, is their contention.

Read the full story here.

© RealClearSports 2010

SF Examiner: Sharks trying to avoid Bay Area curse

By Art Spander
Special to the Examiner

SAN FRANCISCO — Now it is the Sharks’ turn to overcome the Curse of the Bay-bino. No, our teams didn’t sell Babe Ruth — just traded Willie Mays and Mark McGwire — but they’ve been undone by a jinx, the Left Coast version.

Fame of late has been achieved less through suspension bridges than suspended belief. They did what? We’re the kings of the “Here We Go Again” syndrome.

Read the full story here.

Copyright 2010 SF Newspaper Company