Box Score 11/2: Maddon, Thomas and Price

Welcome to the YB Box Score, what we're reading to pass the time while we wait for for Game 7.

Happy birthday to Willie McGee, former NHLer Jason Smith, Orlando Cabrera and Luke Schenn. On this date in 1974, the Atlanta Braves traded Hank Aaron to the Milwaukee Brewers.

Around the league: 

• Want to know what 703 miles of swimming, biking and running is like for ultra-marathoners? The experience involves hallucinating, blisters and quite a bit of willpower. [NYT]
• White Sox fans continue to be unhappy with the new stadium branding, including the mortgage company behind the new name congratulating Cubs fans. [SB Nation] 
• Speaking of bad stadiums, the A's could be in trouble under a new collective bargaining agreement. [San Francisco Chronicle]  
• Jerry Jones needs to stop comparing everyone, including Jason Witten, to Nelson Mandela. [Vice Sports]

YB ICYMI: 

"The selection committee decided that the Michigan Wolverines deserved the honor of being in the initial playoff picture. The Wolverines are undefeated, but they don’t have enough big wins against ranked teams that would wow the committee into having them jump ahead of either Clemson or Alabama. They do have a 14-7 win against Wisconsin in Week 5 and a 45-28 win against now ranked Colorado, but their strength of schedule simply isn’t good enough to compete with the top two teams. The Wolverines can’t afford a loss en route to their season finale against Ohio State." - College Football Playoff rankings announced, Alabama No. 1

"Baseball is a game of numbers and measured logic, but as is the case with all competitions, the tenacity of competitive yearning plays a role as well. The Cubs will be tense for the moment, but Joe Maddon will make sure they are focused within it as well. Intangible desire could very well be the most important advantage the Cubs could channel tonight." - Four things the Cubs must do to force a Game 7

"Fun. When Earl Thomas gets flagged for earnestly hugging somebody, even if it was an official, something is very, very wrong. The NFL has been shooting itself in the foot for decades, but it's just stunning how little they understand about their audience and what they find enjoyable about a football game." - The NFL's biggest losers so far this season

"Interestingly enough the Habs have recently come up in trade rumor talks regarding defensemen, with whispers that they are looking to build up their blue line. Although, they have performed well in front of Price so far this season, perhaps showing their best defensive effort against division rival Tampa Bay Lightning (who despite being early season favorites to make another deep playoff run have gone on a three-game skid since losing 3-1 to Montreal last week). The Canadiens’ penalty kill is also getting the job done, currently ranked fourth in the league at 88.6%." - Which NHL team has the deepest defense so far?

"Hayward is second in the NFL in interceptions and one of the lone bright spots on an injury-riddled Chargers team, and no one deserves to waste away under the Spanos family. That said, we are going to send Hayward back to his home state of Georgia, and he’ll play for the Falcons too. The Falcons are tied for 29th in pass defense, and they could use some help to maintain their slim lead in the NFC South. Adding Thomas Davis earlier and Casey Hayward now — two players who can provide some veteran leadership in their respective areas — allows the Falcons to feel a little more confident in their scheme and allows those players to help self-police some of the younger players who may not have the proper mind-sets yet." - Eight defensive players we'd rescue at the NFL trade deadline

When you're retired from the league, you can't be fined for your opinions on Twitter.