04/20/24
February 25, 2003
The Phoniest Records in Sports: "Yes, there's more to life than just winning and losing -- there's also manipulating the game for selfish reasons. And we don't like it."
posted by kirkaracha to general at 09:36 PM - 9 comments
Great post, kirkaracha. That's the most interesting thing I've read in a few weeks. Thanks.
posted by ttrendel at 11:40 PM on February 25, 2003
Succa: That soccer goals giveaway was not about setting a phony record. It was a protest against a referee. I didn't say it was smart, but it sure wasn't dishonest, like the stunts reported in the ESPN article. They had nothing to gain from losing a game 149-0.
posted by worldcup2002 at 12:30 AM on February 26, 2003
Although I found some of that tough to understand, (you Yanks talk funny) it was a great article. Just the kind of thing I joined SportsFilter for. I've been trying to think of something similar regarding football (soccer) and I've come up with a blank. Anyone jog my memory, because it must have happened?
posted by squealy at 03:46 AM on February 26, 2003
How about David Robinson's performance on the last day of the 1994 season. In a close race with Shaq for the scoring lead, Robinson gets 71 points against the woeful Clippers to win the title. I mean, I know the Clippers were bad then (and, of course, still are) but 71 points bad? Incidentally, this performance took over the team single game scoring record from George Gervin, whose 63-point outburst is mentioned in the FPP.
posted by bcb2k2 at 08:03 AM on February 26, 2003
Oh yeah, what about that Formula 1 race where the leading driver slowed down so that his teammate could win it and therefore strengthen his #1 ranking? I don't have names coz I'm not a racing fan. Waitaminute, here's the SpoFi thread. At least the ruling body didn't let them get away with it.
posted by worldcup2002 at 08:47 AM on February 26, 2003
wc2k2: I think that happens every race, so I'm pretty sure it's not much of a scandal.
posted by grum@work at 09:40 AM on February 26, 2003
It shouldn't happen this F1 season though as they've "restricted" team orders.
posted by squealy at 11:16 AM on February 26, 2003
Great post, kirkaracha ... I even linked off it. The UConn thing was just pathetic. I would have liked to have seen another blown knee on that one.
posted by wfrazerjr at 11:42 AM on February 26, 2003
How about the soccer guys who spent half the match kicking the ball into their own net?