Mike Lopresti: Old Oaken Bucket gives teams something to play for
Someone had found the thing on a farm in the southern part of the state and decided it’d make a fine prize for the winner of the Indiana-Purdue football game.
Mike Lopresti
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Lopresti: Navigating the unexpected is an endless ordeal for Colts fans
When Matt Ryan was acquired with such fanfare and hope in March—only 11 days before April Fool’s Day, by the way—who possibly could have seen last Sunday coming? Week 8, and he’s on the bench—probably for good.
Mike Lopresti: Remembering the final mythical state champions
The Panthers began that season with a 41-game winning streak. They would end it with the streak at 51 and the undisputed mythical state champions.
Mike Lopresti: Rajeev Ram’s rise in tennis is ‘something surreal’
The latest ATP rankings have Ram No. 1 on planet Earth among doubles players, this after a recent career surge when he teamed with Great Britain’s Joe Salisbury to win the U.S. Open twice and Australian Open once.
Mike Lopresti: Celebrating Big Ten stadiums as Ohio Stadium turns 100
The league is the epicenter of football geezers.
Mike Lopresti: Pondering the numerical feats of the boys of summer
As the regular season careens toward the finish line—in Victory Field and elsewhere—we highlight some eccentric numerical feats of summer.
Mike Lopresti: College football is back
Three nights, three big scoops of college football that would give an idea of the autumn ahead.
Mike Lopresti: Can Colts start on winning note?
It should be noted that one week in September can’t define a team (although 14 of the past 18 Super Bowl champions started 1-0, including the 2006 Colts).
Mike Lopresti: Joey Chestnut to attempt popcorn record at Victory Field
The man who once put down 182 chicken wings in 30 minutes, 55 glazed doughnuts in eight and 121 Twinkies in six has developed an appetite for a new conquest. Popcorn.
Mike Lopresti: Carl Erskine’s story—The Dodger from Anderson, Jimmy’s dad
He was the major leaguer who made the world better around him. The teammate who stood by the side of Jackie Robinson on even the most difficult days. The father who would not allow the state to turn its back on the intellectually disabled, which included his own son.
Mike Lopresti: In a league for 45-and-up, it’s still hardball
Is a man ever too old to play baseball? “Yes” is your answer? Then you’ve come to the wrong place, on the wrong night.
Mike Lopresti: While Indiana will never host an All-Star game, it’s got plenty of connections to the tradition
he All-Star Game has never been played in Indiana and never will be, but that doesn’t mean it is without some memorable Hoosier cleat marks.
Mike Lopresti: Big 10 decision: It’s all about the money
The Big Ten, UCLA and USC are taking the money and running. No, that’s not quite right. Given the distances involved, they’re taking the money and flying.
Mike Lopresti: An unlikely trip to the College World Series
Here’s the thing about the College World Series and Indiana teams: It’s not just a mountain to climb, it’s Everest.
Mike Lopresti: May was a banner months for sports surprises
Sports are most interesting when you witness things unexpected or rarely seen, and do you realize how many of those just happened?
Mike Lopresti: Newest Colts players bring interesting backstories
The new wave always reflects the hope of spring, so best to get to know the fresh faces, and not just for their statistics or 40 times or spot on the depth chart.
Mike Lopresti: Like to be scorned? Become a youth sports referee
The next time your child or grandchild has a game canceled because there are no officials or umpires—and that’s beginning to happen more and more—remember “Mother of the Year” from Mississippi.
Mike Lopresti: The 2022 Indians, not your garden variety Triple-A story
You could go down the lineup the other night and find all manners of unique journeys to Victory Field.
Mike Lopresti: The story of an old coach turned new coach
His story is so Butlerish. Played there, coached there, met his wife in Hinkle Fieldhouse, sent his daughters to Butler, has been a season ticket holder. “The Butler Way” phrase was his idea, and he should have trademarked it, like the boxing announcer did “Let’s get ready to rumble!”
Mike Lopresti: March in Indianapolis offered bounty of stories
It has been quite the frantic month on Pennsylvania Street. When it comes to high school or college, try 40 games in 29 days. How many fools out there would be obsessed enough to have seen 38 of them?