Onward and Upward!

Over the course of three years, Bob Cook churned out 154 Kick Out the Sports! columns for Flak Magazine. The column's run came to an end Jan. 30, 2006, with a "guest column" by author James Frey. Cook continues to write for Flak, but the bulk of his sports writing can be found at MSNBC.com. We'll do our best to keep this page updated with Bob's most recent commentary so dedicated KOtS readers can continue to follow Bob's work.

For an archive of Bob's Flak columns, see the KOtS archive page.

Bob Cook on MSNBC.com

MVC's formula is actually quite simple | 03.12.06
Want to get more teams from your conference in NCAAs? Here's how.

Uncapped world shouldn't scare NFL fans | 03.07.06
Employing no spending limits, like baseball, wouldn't be so bad.

We're talking about the tryout roster! | 03.04.06
Come on Colangelo, at least give Iverson a shot at making the U.S. team.

"Hungry" White Sox back to defend title | 02.28.06
Chicago players and management learn secret of repeating as champions.

Sizing up Indiana's head coaching options | 02.27.06
You can rule out Isiah, but what about Stallings, Alford or ... Knight?

What is Isiah doing? | 02.22.06
The trade to land Steve Francis doesn't improve his team or help clear salary-cap room.

Milicic looking like Ryan Leaf of NBA | 02.17.06
The similarities between ex-Piston and former NFL QB are eerily similar.

Sosa ruined his career and his legacy | 02.16.06
Sosa's ego, corked bat and congressional shenanigans erased his brilliant track record.

Davis a victim of "Woodenization" | 02.15.06
How the Indiana coach, and his successor, will fail for not being Bob Knight.

Bode Miller living life on his own terms | 02.14.06
If Miller wants to give up money, fame, status, that's his business.

"Steeler Way" Still Works in Pittsburgh | 01.26.06
Simple, unselfish methods have led to 22 playoff appearances in 34 years.

Kings Should be Careful What They Wish for with Artest | 01.25.06
Good Ron would help Sacramento. Bad Ron is another story.

Pacers, Artest May Have to Kiss and Make Up | 01.24.06
With player scuttling trade to Kings, Indiana's options are dwindling.

NFL Playoff Gamebreakers | 01.20.06
The most vital player on each team in the postseason.

Now A-Rod Can Choke on the International Stage | 01.19.06
What a relief (for Dominicans) that the Yankees slugging third baseman will play for US in the World Baseball Classic.

Slacking Off Paid for Vinsanity | 01.18.06
Vince Carter is a MVP candidate in New Jersey after giving up on his team in Toronto.

Face It — Peyton Can't Win the Big One | 01.16.06
Colts QB always blows it because of questionable decisions, poor passion.

Bears Improved at QB — Sort of | 01.10.06
Historically weak at position, Bears turn to Rex Grossman, not 15-game starter Kyle Orton.

Vince Young Not Ready for the NFL | 01.08.06
The Texas Longhorns' amazing quarterback should take a page from USC's Matt Leinert and return to college for his senior year.

Indiana's Hot Start May Help Coach Secure Job | 01.08.06
Help has finally arrived for an improved Hoosiers team (11-3).

As Usual, Drama Surrounds the Indiana Pacers | 12.16.05
Ron Artest's latest kooky antics just one of many storylines in Indiana's soap opera.

Shades of '99 | 12.16.05
Led by a rookie quarterback and anchored by a strong defense, this year's Chicago Bears look a lot like the '99 Tampa Bay Bucs.

The Dungy-Shula Connection | 12.11.05
The coach of the undefeated Indianapolis Colts, Tony Dungy, has a lot in common with Don Shula, the only man to lead a NFL team through an undefeated season.

Where Will Roger Clemens Go? | 12.08.05
The Texas Rangers seem like the most obvious choice for the free-agent Hall of Famer to be.

The Suddenly Competent Clippers | 12.01.05
Donald Sterling, the woeful owner of the awful Los Angeles Clippers, has begun to see dividends from his recent spate of smart spending.

Paul Konerko: Favorite Son | 12.01.05
The big contract doled out to the first baseman of the World Champion Chicago White Sox shows just how valuable he is.

Even Vince Lombardi Would Struggle in Detroit | 11.29.05
The mess created by Lions general manager Matt Millen and the Ford family that has owned the team for much of its existence would flummox even the man for whom the Super Bowl trophy is named.

In the NBA, You Can't Always Go Home Again | 11.04.05
Coaches Larry Brown and Phil Jackson are in for long seasons in New York and Los Angeles.

Saints Might Be Right to Leave New Orleans | 11.04.05
Yes, owner Tom Benson is a jerk, but the city may not be able to support an NFL team for years.

White Sox Defied the Stat Geeks | 11.04.05
By the numbers, Chicago shouldn't have even made the postseason.

White Sox Not the First Team to Rally Around a Song | 10.22.05
The Pittsburgh Pirates' use of "We Are Family" is still the best appropriation ever, but Chicago fine is doing OK with "Don't Stop Believin'."

Don't Blame the Black Sox of 1919 for the White Sox 86-year Championship Drought | 10.20.05
At least in recent years, owner Jerry Reinsdorf is the true source of the team's misery.

White Sox Getting Trendy? No Way! | 10.18.05
Long-suffering South Side fans can revel in one thing: Their team is not the Cubs.

White Sox Are This Year's Idiots | 10.05.05
Chicago made the playoffs with a team full of characters and a "hothead" manager.

Tough to Root for "Nice Guy" Braves | 10.03.05
Atlanta is too bland, too routine to get behind in Major League Baseball's postseason.