Ricky and Dicky – Pretender Patriotism

Author’s Note: In the media, and indeed general political discourse today, everyone seems to think there is only one correct opinion which coincidentally is practically always the one they hold themselves. So in this series I will be examining some hot button topics in political discourse today and argue the merits of both sides of […]

So You Think You Know Ball?—What Exactly is an Edge Rusher?

What is the most important position in football outside of quarterback? That is a question that doesn’t necessarily have a single right answer. But if you ask most serious football followers, edge rusher would be high on that list. NFL decision makers would seemingly agree. Green Bay Packers’ edge rusher Micah Parsons was traded for […]

So you think you know ball—Explaining the NBA Playoff Format

Intro: With the NBA (National Basketball Association) playoffs getting underway this weekend, I thought it would be helpful to explain the format all the way from the initial play-in round to the finals.  Background: The NBA is divided into two 15-team conferences: the Eastern Conference, with teams like the Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, and New […]

So You Think You Know Ball?: What is OPS+? Understanding One of the Best Ways to Evaluate Hitters in Baseball.

Chances are, if you are reading this, you go to Brandeis. And if you go to Brandeis, well, let’s just say you may not know a lot about sports. The stereotypical Deisian isn’t exactly a rabid sports fan. And that’s fine! To attend Brandeis, you obviously don’t need to be interested in sports or even […]

So You Think You Know Ball?—What is a Fastball?

Chances are, if you are reading this, you go to Brandeis. And if you go to Brandeis, well, let’s just say you may not know a lot about sports. The stereotypical Deisian isn’t exactly a rabid sports fan. And that’s fine! To attend Brandeis, you obviously don’t need to be interested in sports or even […]