Jon Marthaler writes here and here regularly. He also writes here at RandBall every Saturday. Jon?

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First of all, a reminder: tonight is the Redactular. We’ll be watching the Thunder try to get their (its?) first win of the season against Cleveland (A preview of the game, from Brian Quarstad at Inside Minnesota Soccer, is here). We’ll also watch Super Rookie make trip after trip from the north stands (”Stand du Nord”) to the adjacent beer garden, culminating in an unfortunate incident where he runs on the field before a corner kick and attempts to hug midfielder Dale Weiler. Good times for all!

[Proprietor note: We plan to arrive around 6 for some mingling and merriment before action on the pitch gets going. We’ll have the RBBH and others with us].

Now then — on with the links for another week.

*We start this week with the burgeoning backlash against Malcom Gladwell, whose latest frustrating oeuvre in the New Yorker has rather touched a nerve with a few people. I’ll let others take the lead: Tommy Craggs at Deadspin has had enough (and he links to a few others who feel the same way). Chris Brown at Smart Football points out a few things that Gladwell missed — and more importantly, covers this topic from a football point of view.

*Speaking of backlash: LA-based soccer radio host (and rabblerouser) Steven Cohen is in hot water for his comments on the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, when 96 Liverpool fans were killed due to a crush in the stands. Note to Mr. Cohen: it’s probably not a good idea to needlessly bash fans for a 20-year-old disaster — right after the emotional 20th anniversary remembrances.

*Big Ten Hardball has an interview with Indiana head coach Tracy Smith, who’s feeling justly yanked around by the NCAA’s latest rule change. Key takeaway: for some reason, the NCAA is attempting to kill college baseball north of the Mason-Dixon Line.

*As it turns out, nobody likes NASCAR any more. I KNEW the Car of Tomorrow would ruin things! (NOTE: I do not know this.)

*Quick links to other things I loved this week: The Vikes Geek breaking down the StarCaps trial. Joe Posnanski using deductive reasoning to conclude that Joe Mauer may be the league’s lone chance to hit .400 again. John “Twins Geek” Bonnes breaking down a game into nine short stories. And last, but not least, Aaron Gleeman running the numbers on just how horrible Delmon Young is (and why Carlos Gomez should be in the lineup instead.)

That’s plenty for the week; see you at the Redactular tonight. All are welcome, tickets are just $5 for the cheap seats, and there’s every chance you’ll get to see a wayward shot rocket over the goal and hit me square in the forehead. Everyone’s a winner!

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