Jake has written nearly 150 articles for Athlon Sports. Below you’ll find links to some of his personal favorites. For Jake’s entire Athlon catalog, click here.
1986 New York Mets: Where Are they now?
This October marks the 30th anniversary of one of the most unlikely World Series stories that has ever been told. The New York Mets, down two games to none, and later three games to two to the Boston Red Sox, should have lost that Fall Classic.
Down to their last strike in the bottom of the 10th inning of Game 6, the Mets found a way — call it a curse, or just bad luck for Boston — to win, evening the series in one at-bat
the dummies guide to march madness 2016
It’s been difficult to put this college basketball season into any specific box so far — and that’s a good thing. We’ve been captivated by one superstar freshman that likely won’t make the Big Dance. We’ve seen the number one spot in the polls become a game of musical chairs. In the era of the one and done, we’ve seen the game become highlighted by game-breaking upperclassmen. And of course, what kind of college basketball season would it be if there weren’t a big-name coach or two getting in trouble?
Ahead of Schedule: The Chicago Cubs are serious contenders right now
Eyes of the collective Chicago media were surely rolling inside The Cubby Bear, Wrigleyville’s most popular bar, when new Cubs manager Joe Maddon proclaimed, “In my mind’s eye I’m going to be talking playoffs this year,” at his introductory press conference.
Maddon then later hailed for the nearest bartender and offered to buy the first round of drinks for all the media present, “A shot and a beer…That’s the Hazleton Way.”
Yes, this gonzaga team is for real
For better and worse, consistency explains Mark Few’s tenure at Gonzaga.
Over the past 16 seasons, Few has amassed 427 wins, 15 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, 13 conference regular season titles and 11 conference tournament championships … with zero national championships, zero Final Fours and zero Elite Eight appearances.
The model of consistency, for better or worse.
Lamar Jackson: Baltimore QB of the Present…and future
When the Baltimore Ravens took Lamar Jackson as the final pick in the first round of this year’s draft, the writing was on the wall for Joe Flacco — the former Super Bowl MVP’s tenure as QB1 was on the clock. After Flacco suffered a hip injury against Pittsburgh last month, The Jackson Era officially began as the 2016 Heisman winner was named the Week 11 starter against the Bengals. What happened since has not only changed the course of the Ravens’ regular season but perhaps the franchise for years to come.
Most patriotic moments in american sports history
Sports are just another strand in the American fabric that makes up the greatness of our beloved country. Sports are a form of patriotism in their own right — a form of civic pride. Sports allow us to come together as one community, one region, one nation to celebrate our way of life, our freedoms, and truly our great country on a large scale. Throughout our nation’s history sport has been part of our national conversation, often leading the cause for change, and helping us heal.
Here is a list of the most patriotic moments in American sports history.
5 reasons why the new england patriots will win super bowl li
Perhaps you’ve noticed, but the New England Patriots have been to the Super Bowl before, as they will soon be making their NFL-record ninth appearance in franchise history, and their seventh since 2001. They have arguably the best head coach, quarterback and owner combination that we’ve ever seen in professional football.