RealClearSports: Sharks Stifle Ghosts of the Red Wings

By Art Spander
For RealClearSports.com

SAN JOSE -- The ghosts were knocked around the ice Thursday night. So were the Detroit Red Wings. But for the San Jose Sharks, it's never been what happened in the present, but what didn't happen in the past.

Maybe it's about to change.

Read the full story here.

© RealClearSports 2010

RealClearSports: Old Lakers Play Like the Old Lakers

By Art Spander
For RealClearSports.com

O, ye of little faith. Now what do you think of the Lakers? Too old? Too tired? How about too good?

There is nothing the sporting world does faster than jumping on bandwagons, unless it's jumping to conclusions. Lose a game, lose two games, and instead of talking about shots falling there's weeping and wailing about the sky falling.

Read the full story here.

© RealClearSports 2010

SF Examiner: Mieuli’s impact on Bay Area sports won't be forgotten

By Art Spander
Special to The Examiner

He put chandeliers in the Cow Palace and Rick Barry’s jersey behind an office door, delivered bags of fruit to sports writers and delivered a championship to the Bay Area.

You could call Franklin Mieuli eccentric. I preferred to call him passionate. He had a beard, a deerstalker hat and a love of life.

Read the full story here.

Copyright 2010 SF Newspaper Company

RealClearSports: Tebow Drama Gives Draft a Stretch

By Art Spander
For RealClearSports.com

OAKLAND -- The analysis from ESPN began, "This is a stretch.'' Which was exactly what the NFL draft needed at the point Tim Tebow was selected.

A stretch, a jolt, excitement. Something more than another defensive tackle or offensive lineman.

Read the full story here.

© RealClearSports 2010

SF Examiner: Bad news Bay Area at it again

By Art Spander
Special to The Examiner

SAN FRANCISCO — It was another of those should have, could have days for the Bay Area, the ones overloaded with bad memories and worse possibilities.

There was Manny Ramirez standing at the plate for the Dodgers, two outs in the eighth and you knew what was going to happen.

Read the full story here.

Copyright 2010 SF Newspaper Company