🇺🇦 Axios Sports: Bigger than soccer

Plus: The art of the steal | Wednesday, August 24, 2022

Open in app View in browser   Presented By SiriusXM   Axios Sports By Jeff Tracy · Aug 24, 2022 👋 Good morning! Wishing a happy hump day to you and yours. Today's word count: 1,473 words (6 minutes). Let's sports...     1 big thing: 🇺🇦 More than a game Kyiv's Olympic Stadium, with a capacity of 70,000, was empty Tuesday for the Ukrainian Premier League's return. Photo: Reuters/Gleb Garanich   The Ukrainian Premier League kicked off on yesterday at Kyiv's Olympic Stadium as Shakhtar Donetsk and Metalist 1925 played to a 0-0 draw. Why it matters: The game, played in an empty stadium, was the first top-level soccer match in Ukraine since Russia invaded six months ago today. Not-so-coincidentally, it was took place on Ukraine's Flag Day, ahead of today's Independence Day. What they're saying: President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the players — each draped in their nation's colors — via pre-recorded message on the big screen before the game: "Our flag was on the shoulders of our soldiers when we retook our cities in 2014. It was on the shoulders of our soldiers in 2022 when they took back districts. Our blue-and-yellow flag is going to be flown again in the occupied cities and villages of Ukraine." "Two colors that we all love. We care about them and will never allow any other colors on our land. We are always ready to defend our flag." The big picture: Though the game went off without incident, reminders of the atrocities that have befallen the nation of 43 million were ever-present. The match began with a ceremonial kickoff by Yaroslav Golyk, a wounded soldier who walked onto the field with a limp sustained during the siege of Mariupol. The stadium was empty because the nation's capital has banned large public gatherings, fearing Independence Day-related attacks. Teams were also warned they would have to retreat to the stadium's bomb shelter in the event of an air-raid. The last word: The results of the game were secondary at best to what soccer's return represented. "This is work ... to show the world that life in Ukraine does not stop. It helps to continue living and shows the world that football goes on." — Shakhtar coach Igor Jovićević Go deeper: The Ukraine war, six months on (Axios)     2. ⚾️ The art of the steal Data: Baseball Reference; Chart: Thomas Oide/Axios MLB's league-wide offensive downturn has sparked the return of a lost art: stolen bases are back. By the numbers: Teams were averaging 0.51 stolen bases per game entering Tuesday, up 11% over last year (0.46). It's the first time steals have increased in a non-pandemic-shortened season since 2014. Success rate hasn't suffered with the increased volume, either, as the league-wide rate of 76% is tied with last year's for the highest mark since 1937, per FanGraphs. The big picture: Steals were once a significantly more common occurrence. In fact, from 1976 to 1992, there were eight seasons in which teams stole more bases than hit home runs. The league-wide batting average in those years was routinely in the .250's and .260's, and instant replay — which now regularly overturns would-be steals — was decades away. Then the steroid-era kicked off a home run boom, batting averages dropped precipitously as pitchers became more dominant and the risk of running into outs on the base paths no longer seemed worth it. Yes, but: This year's particularly weak offensive environment has changed teams' calculus regarding the risk-reward of attempting steals. Runs and home runs per game are both at their lowest since 2015. That means scoring is at a premium and, unlike in recent years, teams can't sit back and hope for one big blow to clear the bases. Batting average dropped to its lowest mark since 1968, but with the simultaneous lack of dingers, teams must maximize those few opportunities when a teammate actually gets a hit. Looking ahead: There's reason to believe this increase is the beginning of a trend rather than an anomaly. Pitch clocks may be in the majors as soon as next year, and though their intent is to speed up the game, they could also lead to a decrease in pickoff attempts and increase in steals. Larger bases — another of MLB's experimental rules, and one that should more directly lead to more steals — could follow soon after. Go deeper: How the Dodgers became MLB's improbable men of steal (LA Times)     3. ⚡️ Lightning round Photo: Matt Thomas/San Diego Padres/Getty Images   ⚾️ Tatis apologizes: 11 days after receiving an 80-game suspension for a positive steroid test, Fernando Tatis Jr. apologized Tuesday for his mistakes. "My dreams have turned into my worst nightmares." 🏀 Durant staying put: Kevin Durant and the Nets "have agreed to move forward with our partnership," Nets GM Sean Marks said nearly two months after Durant first requested a trade. It seems the disgruntled superstar will remain in Brooklyn, at least for now. 📺 Historic women's broadcasts: ABC will air the 2023 NCAA D-I women's basketball championship, its first time on network TV since 1995. ... CBS will air the 2022 NWSL championship at 8pm ET, the league's first-ever final in primetime. ⚽️ Wave set record: The San Diego Wave have sold more than 27,000 tickets for their mid-September match against Angel City FC, which will break the record for the largest single-game attendance in NWSL history (25,218).     A message from SiriusXM Stream today and get 3 months free     With SiriusXM, stream expertly curated ad-free music on your devices with channels dedicated to your favorite decades, hits, styles and genres. The deets: Get access to more than 425 channels on the SXM app, plus podcasts, sports talk, Howard Stern and more. See offer details.     4. 🏈 Coming to a bar near you: Amazon's TNF Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios   DirecTV, which has for years exclusively broadcast the NFL's lucrative Sunday Ticket package, struck a deal with Amazon Prime Video to air Thursday Night Football games in over 300,000 out-of-home venues, Axios' Sara Fischer writes. Why it matters: The deal gives fans the opportunity to watch the games — which are only available via streaming on Prime Video — in places outside of their homes that may not have smart TVs installed. Such behavior is already relatively common: Data suggests that at least 20% of viewers watched fall sports exclusively in out-of-home venues in 2019. Details: DirecTV for business will deliver all 15 of Amazon's games this season to various national chains, local bars, casinos and sports books, retail locations, hotels and more, DirecTV said Tuesday. The big picture: This season marks the first in NFL history that an entire rights package will be made available exclusively via a streaming platform. As more sports rights move to streaming, partnerships with traditional television providers like this one will allow leagues to maximize potential viewership. The bottom line: Amazon may be the new home of Thursday Night Football, but if you prefer the community atmosphere of watching in public, DirecTV's got you covered.     5. 🌎 The world in photos Photo: Evan Yu/NBAE via Getty Images BROOKLYN, N.Y. — The defending champion Sky are heading to the semifinals after beating the Liberty, 90-72, behind a near triple-double from Candace Parker (14-13-8). Go deeper: The good, the bad and the future on display in Liberty's exit (SI) Photo: Rich Schultz/Getty Images ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Bryce Harper hit two homers on Tuesday in his first rehab start with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Triple-A). He's been on the IL since breaking his thumb on June 25. Why it matters: MLB superstars wearing minor league uniforms will never fail to make me smile. Photo: Maja Hitij/Getty Images MUNICH — Norway's Sondre Guttormsen finished just off the podium in the pole vault last weekend at the European Athletics Championships, but this photo is solid gold. The winner? That would be world record holder Mondo Duplantis, who set a European championship record with his winning jump.     6. 📺 Watchlist: Elimination game Photo: Chris Marion/NBAE via Getty Images   The Dallas Wings host the Connecticut Sun tonight in the decisive Game 3 of their first-round playoff matchup (9pm ET, ESPN), with the winner advancing to the semifinals. By the numbers: The Wings — who may get back leading scorer Arike Ogunbowale from injury tonight — put on a shooting clinic to force Game 3, outscoring the Sun 33-12 from behind the arc in Game 2. The big picture: Connecticut is eyeing its fourth consecutive trip to the semis, while Dallas hasn't made it out of the first round since 2015 — its final season as the Tulsa Shock. More to watch: ⚾️ MLB: White Sox at Orioles (7pm, FS1) ... Both teams are within five games of the final wild card. ⚾️ Little League: Four games (1–7pm, ESPN) ... One U.S. and one international finalist will be set by tonight. 🍿 Docuseries: "Welcome to Wrexham" (10pm, FX) ... First two episodes premiere tonight, documenting Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's purchase of the Welsh soccer team. ⚽️ Friendly: Barcelona vs. Manchester City (3:30pm, CBSSN) ... Match proceeds will go towards ALS research. ⚽️ NWSL: Courage vs. Thorns (7pm, Paramount+)     7. 🏈 CFB trivia Photo: Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images   Nick Saban's new eight-year, $93.6 million extension makes him the highest-paid college football coach in the country, at $11.7 million annually. Question: Which coach did he pass, and is now in second place? Hint: Same conference. Answer at the bottom.     8. ⚾️ 1 stacked roster: Team USA Source: Giphy Ken Griffey Jr. was among the six coaches named to Team USA's staff on Tuesday for the 2023 World Baseball Classic, which takes place in March. Looking ahead: Though the roster hasn't officially been announced, the list of guys who've already committed to the team is a modern-day Murderers' Row: Mike Trout Bryce Harper Nolan Arenado Paul Goldschmidt Pete Alonso Trevor Story Cedric Mullins J.T. Realmuto The intrigue: Don't give them the trophy just yet: Here's who's reportedly committed to play for the Dominican Republic: Juan Soto, Manny Machado, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., José Ramírez, Rafael Devers, Sandy Alcántara and Emmanuel Clase.     A message from SiriusXM Get 3 months free     Stream more than 425 channels on your devices for free on the SXM App, including expertly curated ad-free music, live NFL games, personalized stations and more. Next steps: Sign up now to get three months free. Cancel anytime. See offer details.   Talk tomorrow, Jeff "Thinking of becoming a college football coach" Tracy Trivia answer: Kirby Smart, Georgia ($11.25 million) 🙏 Thanks for reading. Follow us on Twitter: @kendallbaker and @jeffreytracy. 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