Half Way To Gold!

Team USA Basketball made yet another loud statement on Saturday as they defeated Spain, the 2006 World Champions, 119-82. That is the second time that USA has defeated a team who was considered to be on the same playing field by 20+.

Leading the way once again at both ends of the floor was Lebron James who led all Americans in scoring with 18 points. Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony each chipped in with 16 points. Chris Paul recorded 14 points while Kobe Bryant and Deron Williams each had 11. Every USA player who played scored, an impressive stat in itself.

Perhaps the best news for the United States in this game was the final stat line for both 3-point percentage and free-throw percentage. Team USA was 45% from behind the arc and 80% from the line, both major improvements over their previous three games.

The win, team USA's fourth, puts them half way to the gold metal. It also solidifies USA as the #1 ranking in pool A.

Could This Be The End?

Saturday marks what could be the end for sure fire first ballot Hall-of-Famer. The Atlanta Braves have placed Tom Glavine on the 60-day disabled list meaning that he will miss the remainder of the 2008 season. The 42 year old Glavine has suffered a torn flexor tendon in his left (throwing) arm.

Glavine, who will travel to Alabama to see world class elbow specialist Dr. James Andrews next week, will likely receive one of two prognosis. Either he will just need a minor operation to repair the tendon, which would allow him to pitch next season, or he will be forced to have Tommy John surgery (a ligament replacement) which would likely end his career.

You hate to see someone like Glavine possibly be forced to go out like this. An athlete of his caliber, who has accomplished so much in professional baseball, should be able to go out on his terms.

"By no means do I want to go through another year with what I'm going through now. But at the same time, I don't think I want my career to end this way, either. I think that lends me to think I want to pitch next year. I think it's easier to walk away if you can honestly tell yourself, you know what, I can't do it anymore. And I don't know that I can answer that question right now because my body hasn't allowed me to do it this year as much I wanted to."

Glavine, who is 2-4 with a 5.54 era in 13 games this season, has 305 career wins.

Here's to hoping that Tom has one more season left in that arm of his. He is one of the truly good guys in sports and deserves to be able to decide when he is done, not be forced into it.

WAY Back Hits 1,000!

On behalf of the WAY Back Sports staff I would just like to thank everyone, as we have just reached 1,000 hits. Thanks to everyone who has visited, and don't be afraid to tell people about us!

Did I Just See That!

This just in, Michael Phelps is not human. Well, one may actually be able to argue that. He just pulled off the win in the 100 meter butterfly. He was down the whole race, and managed to pull even with Milorad Cavic of Serbia. Somehow Michael was able to touch the wall 1/100th of a second quicker than Cavic.

Watching this race was breathtaking. With the victory Mr. Phelps notched his seventh gold medal of this years Olympics, tying the record for the most one in one year's games by fellow American swimmer Mark Spitz. This was the first event that Michael Phelps did not set the world record in, he did however set an Olympic record. A protest is being filed on behalf of Milorad Cavic questioning the results of the race. The petition was not accepted, however. Stay tuned to WAY Back Sports to see if Phelps can complete his race for eight.

Phelps Unbelievable

Michael Phelps is now six for six in Olympic competition. He has competed in six races, won six gold medals, and set six world records. Watching Phelps swim is simply amazing, he is already the most awarded Olympian of all time, but now many are asking the question is he the best athlete of all time? I would argue that he is in the top five, right up there with Tiger Woods. Stayed tuned to waybacksports.co.nr to get continued updates on Phelps's quest for 8, as well as other breaking news stories.

Pats Sign Lynch

Espn.com is reporting that the New England Patriots have signed safety John Lynch to a one year contract worth 1.5 million. Lynch became a free agent earlier this week after being cut by the Denver Broncos in a cap dump.

Lynch flew to New England on Wednesday to meet with Patriots' coach Bill Belichick.

Reports say that it was Lynch who orchestrated his release from Denver due to a reduced role planned for him in the team's up coming season. It will be interesting to see how he handles only playing 20 or so snaps a game in Foxborough. Having a chance to win the Super Bowl will certainly lessen the blow.

Redeem Team Passes First Test

The United States mens basketball team had been looking forward to this one for a while. Two years ago, Greece stunned the US at the basketball world championship, making this the first true test that the team has faced in the Olympics.

Well, it was supposed to be.

Up by only 4 after the first quarter, the red, white, and blue stepped on the throttle to beat the Greeks, 92-69. Kobe Bryant and Chris Bosh led the way with 18 points a piece, with Dwayne Wade just behind the leaders with 17, to go along with 5 assists. LeBron James chipped in with 13, along with 6 rebounds and 6 assists. He also had 3 blocked shots.

The only concern with the US team, as in previous games, is their performance from beyond the arc. They went 7-20 from deep, a number that needs to change if the US plans on dominating the field.

Hank Isn't Happy

Hank Steinbrenner has expressed his feelings about the Yankees many times this season, yesterday being no exception. Though he says he "isn't writing off this season", Hank seems to be using the injury card to blame the Yanks recent slide. He was quoted as saying "I think it's very simple, we've been devastated by injuries. No team I've ever seen in baseball has been decimated like this. It would kill any team." He finished off his statement by saying "We're going to win it next year, if we need to add a top veteran pitcher, we'll do that. We'll do whatever we need to do. Next year we'll be extremely dangerous."

CC Sabathia is going to be a well paid man this off-season. Though he says he isn't, it sure sounds a lot like Hank is waiving the white flag. It seems like the Yankees are saying something that Boston fans knew all too well, "wait till' next year".

Football At Fenway?

The New England Patriots have defeated the Dallas Cowboys, thanks to a late field goal by Kevin Youkilis, by the score of 19-17.

Wait...Wrong sport? Could Have fooled me.

It was a slugfest to say the least in Boston on Tuesday night. The Red Sox, who scored ten runs in the bottom of the first inning, saw their huge lead vanish before the man they call "YUUUK" saved the day with a three run bomb in the bottom of the eight to lead Boston to victory.

Youkilis and David Ortiz each homered twice in the winning effort.

Every starter on both teams, except for Red Sox catcher Kevin Cash,had at least one hit in the game. The two teams combine for 36 runs on 37 hits. Certainly not a good night to be a pitcher.

Tigers Shuffle Roster

The Detroit Tigers made a pair of moves on Tuesday as they signed free agent right handed pitcher Freddy Garcia and placed DH/OF Gary Sheffield on waivers.

Garcia, who was coveted by several teams, has been out of the game since early 2007 when he was a member of the Philadelphia Phillies. It is expected that Garcia will be assigned to AAA for a few starts for conditioning purposes. Last week Garcia held a workout for major league teams where he was clocked in the 84-87mph range with his fastball. As many as eleven teams reportedly had scouts at the workout.

Sheffield, who is batting .219/10/33 in 76 games with season, has been beginning to show signs that age is starting to catch up with him. The former all-star outfielder had been known for his great power numbers which have declined greatly this season.