The ESPN Daily: The mystery of the Stanford Axe heist, what it’s like to miss a $50k parlay and the art of the football grip
Variety show … Today’s Daily has stories of thievery, gambling and genies. Know a friend who inexplicably likes these three specific things? Why not send them this newsletter? You can do so right here.
Stealing the signs … The Astros sign-stealing scandal rocked the baseball world. Subsequently, MLB has promised a thorough investigation into Houston’s alleged cheating during its 2017 championship run, using a live video feed and … trash cans. At the owners meetings, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said there is no reason to expand the case to other teams at this time. But regardless of the breadth of the investigation, the scandal has raised big questions and could have massive implications on the future of the game. For today’s episode of the Daily, ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan joins host Mina Kimes to explore the tough decisions the league will have to make going forward. You can listen to it right here.
Inside the Cal-Stanford axe heist … The Stanford Axe is guarded so intensely that getting to it is like approaching the Declaration of Independence. What its guardians can’t quite figure out, however, is why the handle has “WUTH” and “60” carved into the back. That mystery runs parallel to a much larger one, however, involving a clever fake, a stolen safe combination and a car theft. Here’s the forgotten story of the heist of the Stanford Axe, and an enigma almost 60 years in the making. Read more
Week 12 power rankings … It seems right now that the top position in our weekly NFL power rankings is going to be held by one of seven teams … and, most likely, one of three. The Patriots, Ravens and 49ers are looking like world-beaters right now, with the Saints, Packers, Seahawks and Vikings potentially proving themselves as legitimate challengers. Here’s how we’ve got things shaking out right now, with an extra look at each team’s most underrated player. Read More
Talk about a bad beat … Imagine this: You’ve hit 11 out of 12 legs on a parlay that cost you $20 … and will pay out $50,000 if you win. All you need is for the Raiders to cover a 10.5-point spread against the Bengals. Sounds doable? It totally was … but for one bettor, it didn’t happen. Here’s what it’s like to see your dreams go up in smoke at the last possible moment. Read More
“The MLB genie …” What would you give up for your favorite team to get better? Would you trade a distant title for the revival of an ace’s fastball? The greatness of a future Hall of Famer for a disappointing player’s improvement? A triple crown for a playoff series win? Sam Miller’s MLB genie is posing those questions to fans of every team … and as always, you should be careful what you wish for. Read More
Tom Brady, Matt Ryan and other NFL quarterbacks explain how and why they grip a football in their own certain ways.
“What’s better, me playing in the game or me hitting this party?”
— Rob Gronkowski, on hosting a Super Bowl party this season and saying he wouldn’t return in 2019. Read more
On this date in 1982, the Stanford band was out on the field … but it wasn’t enough to stop Cal from scoring a game-winning five-lateral touchdown as time expired. Watch
Warriors at Mavericks (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN): Here’s what Luka Doncic said Monday night after taking a pregame nap: “I dreamed I was gonna score 16 in the first quarter, so then I scored 17 so I was like, ‘Dreams don’t come true.” Funny guy, that Luka.
Celtics at Clippers (10 p.m. ET, ESPN): What a matchup: the surprisingly strong Celtics against a Clippers team that finally has Paul George in the lineup. Potential finals preview?