Baseball-MLB: Dodgers in hot water LGBTQ group. Kuiper fired.
Baseball/Softball-NCAA: Softball Super Regionals – UCLA, Arkansas and LSU out! Baseball conference championship week.
Basketball-NBA: Conference Final week.
Football: Jim Brown died.
Golf: Mr. Major is back. Block stole the show.
Hockey: Stars are final team in conference final. Conference Final week.
Motorsports: F1 flooded and cancelled.
Olympic Sports: April Ross pregnant.
Baseball – MLB:
- The LA Dodgers have issued a formal apology to the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence after rescinding their invitations to their annual Pride Night. The Sisters are a group of men who dress as nuns and therefore the team cited ‘strong feelings of people who have been offended.’ The LA team is stuck between conservative Catholics and the rest of the LGTBQ community. The Sisters have been invited back to the June 16th Pride Night for now.
- Follow up to last week (or a couple of week’s ago) A’s broadcaster Glen Kuiper has been fired after he mispronounced ‘negro.’ Decision was made by NBC after Kuiper’s 20 years of service in the Bay area and that is that!
Baseball/Softball – NCAA:
- Softball: We are down to just 16 teams for the Super Regional round. And by far the biggest upset, #2 UCLA is out and was out in just 2 games! And so is #10 LSU and #11 Arkansas. #1 Oklahoma continues to roll (the Sooners outscored opponents 423-44 during the regular season). There are 3 unranked teams still in: Louisiana, San Diego St and Oregon. Super Regionals are a best of 3 series.
- It’s conference championship week for baseball! It’s double elimination tournament style.
Basketball – NBA:
- Conference Finals have started and they have been rather lopsided.
- The Nuggets/Lakers matchup started it off on Tuesday and the Nuggets are showing why they are the favorite. They are 3-0 on the brink of the shutout tonight to make their debut NBA Final appearance (they did appear in the ABA 1976 final). Game 1 they were up early and never gave it back, winning by 6 with a Jokic triple-double. Game 2 was the closest with the Denver team coming back to win from behind by 5 and Jamal Murray was the leading scorer with 37 points. Game 3 was a 11 point smack down that started early when the Lakers only scored 20 in the 1Q. They could put it all away tonight…
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- The Heat/Celtics matchup has been a similar story but by the underdog. The Heat came in 44-38 compared to the Celtics 57-25 coming into the post season as the favorite. But its been all Heat so far. Game 1 was a good one to watch as the Celtics were leading by 9 at half before the Heat went off in the 3rd outscoring the Boston team 46-25. Those 21 points were enough to take it. Game 2 the Heat pulled out a shocker coming back in the 4Q, down 8 to win by 6 and to add insult to injury, Celtics SF Tatum was the leading scorer of the game by over 10 points! Sunday’s Game 3 though might’ve been the turning point. The Celtics might’ve just been broken as the Heat cruised to a 26 point victory. This is the 7th upset loss for the Boston team, the most in 30 years.
- 76ers, despite making playoffs, have fired their HC Doc Rivers. As an outsider you might not get it but this is the team’s 3rd consecutive 2nd round loss in the playoffs and it’s the 2nd time he has lost the lead and Game 7. Rivers was only there 3 seasons.
- Spurs get #1 draft pick
Football:
- One of the greatest professional and college football players ever and social activist, Jim Brown has died. He was 87 and passed away peacefully. Literally he was NFL 100 all-time and all-time College Football 150 list. Brown was the first round draft pick in 1957 and selected by the Browns where he led the NFL in rushing yards for 8 years. He was an activist for the Civil Rights movement as well. He met with the top black athletes to support Ali when he didn’t want to fight in Vietnam and then worked against gang violence in LA in 1988. Brown retired at 30 and that was the last time the #32 was worn by any Browns player. There is a statue of him at FirstEnergy Stadium in 2016.
Golf:
- Never doubt Brooks Koepka on a major championship weekend. Brooks is back! Brooks claimed his 3rd PGA Championship Wannamaker trophy and 5th major championship on Sunday. He battled through an opening round 72 after a frost delay, rainy weather and LIV controversy for this one. Not to mention the injuries and mental game he has been going through for a couple of years. Most people (including commentators) thought we had seen Brooks win his last major during his crazy stint of back-to-back PGAs and US Opens ending in 2019. He got 2nd at the Masters but frankly blew it on the final day. He told the press he would not let that happen again. At one point on Sunday, he led by 3 but he ending up winning at 2 strokes over Scottie Scheffler and Viktor Hovland. Only 11 golfers finished under par. This is the first LIV player to win a major so naturally all the LIV haters and supporters are coming out. The big question is if Brooks and LIV players will be allowed to compete in the Ryder Cup come this Fall.
- That wasn’t the only major headline from this week’s major. PGA Professional (for those of you who do not know there is a distinction here between a pro golfer and a golfing pro) Michael Block stole the show. You literally might’ve thought he won the championship with how much he has been in the press. Block had the best finish of a club pro since 1986, the only pro this year to make the cut, and because he finishing T15th he is guaranteed a spot in next year’s PGA Championship. He was also given an exemption to play in this weekend’s Charles Schwab Challenge in Fort. Worth. To say dreams came true would be an understatement. Block also aced the 15th on the final day, played in a group with Rory McIlroy who broke the news of the aces to him.
Hockey:
- I know I hinted at it due to the lateness of the podcast and blog post last week but the Stars beat the Kraken in Game 7 of the 2nd It even ended in regulation with the Stars scoring 2 to Seattle’s 1.
- Conference Finals began on Thursday and we have had some crazy ones folks in direct contrast to the NBA Conference Finals. So hold onto your pucks
- The Panthers/Hurricanes matchup started off with a bang! The Hurricanes scored 1 in the 1st, Panthers put up 2 in the 2nd and the Canes came back to tie it up and take it into OT. We then had 4 OTs before we got a result. Finally Florida scored with only 13 seconds left in the 4OT to take an exhausting Game 1. That is an extra game time of 79 minutes – a normal hockey game only runs 60! Game 2 was a bit better but also went into OT! Just one though before the Panthers also took that game to go up 2-0 in the series.
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- The Stars/Golden Knights kicked it off on Friday night. Dallas drew first blood but then the Golden Knights tied it up in the 2nd. The 3rd saw both teams score 2 a piece and head into OT. Unlike Game 1 of the other matchup, OT was over in a 1m35s when the Knights scored by putting the puck behind the Stars goalie. Game 2 was more of the same story – literally. Dallas was leading, Knights tie it up, we go to OT and the Knights score in 1m12s. Vegas is up 2-0.
Motorsports:
- F1 at Emilia Romagna was cancelled due to historic flooding in the region. There is potential for a reschedule later this year but that the date is hard to find in the packed schedule.
Olympic Sports:
- Reigning Olympic Volleyball Champ, April Ross is pregnant with her husband. She is due in October.
What to watch this week
Baseball – MLB:
- Mon 5/22
- Giants at Twins @ 6pm on FS1
- Tues 5/23
- Dodgers at Braves @ 6:20pm on TBS
- Fri 5/26
- White Sox at Tigers @ 5:40pm on Apple TV+
- Padres at Yankees @ 6:05pm on Apple TV+
- Sat 5/27
- Phillies at Braves @ 3:10pm on FS1
- 3 games @ 6:15pm on FOX
- Red Sox at Diamondbacks
- Reds at Cubs
- Cardinals at Guardians
- Sun 5/28
- Dodgers at Rays @ 10:35am on Peacock
- Phillies at Braves @ 6pm on ESPN2
- Mon 5/29
- Angels at White Sox @ 7:10pm on FS1
Baseball – NCAA:
- Tues 5/23
- ACC tournament @ 10am on ACC
- Big 10: Iowa vs Michigan @ 10am on BTN
- Pac 12 tournament: Arizona vs ASU @ 12pm on PAC12
- Texas A&M vs 18. Tennessee @ 1pm on SEC
- ACC tournament @ 2pm on ACC
- Big 10: Indiana vs Illinois @ 2pm on BTN
- Pac 12 tournament: UCLA vs USC @ 4:30pm on PAC12
- SEC: 24. Alabama vs 25. Kentucky @ 4:30pm on SEC
- ACC tournament @ 6pm on ACC
- Big 10: Maryland vs Michigan St @ 6pm on BTN
- SEC: Mizzou vs 19. Auburn @ 8pm on SEC
- Pac 12 tournament: Cal vs Oregon @ 9pm on PAC12
- Wed 5/24
- Big 12: TCU vs Kansas ST @ 9am on ESPNU
- SEC tournament: TBD vs LSU @ 9:30am on SEC
- ACC tournament @ 10am on ACC
- Pac 12 tournament: Arizona vs Oregon St @ 12pm on PAC12
- SEC tournament: TBD vs Arkansas @ 1pm on SEC
- ACC tournament @ 2pm on ACC
- Big 10: Nebraska vs Rutgers @ 2pm on BTN
- Pac 12 tournament: UCLA vs Washington @ 4:30pm on PAC12
- SEC tournament: TBD vs Florida @ 4:30pm on SEC
- ACC tournament @ 6pm on ACC
- Big 10 @ 7pm on BTN
- SEC tournament: TBD vs Vanderbilt @ 8pm on SEC
- Pac 12 tournament: Cal vs Stanford @ 9pm on PAC12
- Thurs 5/25
- SEC tournament @ 9:30am on SEC
- ACC tournament @ 10am on ACC
- Big 10 @ 10am on BTN
- Pac 12 tournament: Oregon St vs ASU @ 12pm on PAC12
- SEC tournament @ 1pm on SEC
- ACC tournament @ 2pm on ACC
- Big 10 @ 2pm on BTN
- Big 12 tournament @ 3pm on ESPNU
- SEC tournament @ 4:30pm on SEC
- Pac 12 tournament: Washington vs USC @ 4:30pm on PAC12
- ACC tournament @ 6pm on ACC
- Big 10 @ 6pm on BTN
- Big 12 tournament @ 6:30pm on ESPNU
- SEC tournament @ 8pm on SEC
- Pac 12 tournament: Stanford vs Oregon @ 9pm on PAC12
- Fri 5/26
- ACC tournament @ 10am on ACC
- ACC tournament @ 2pm on ACC
- Big 10 @ 2pm on BTN
- Pac 12 tournament Semifinal @ 2:30pm on PAC12
- SEC tournament @ 3pm on SEC
- ACC tournament @ 6pm on ACC
- Big 10 @ 7pm on BTN
- Pac 12 tournament Semifinal @ 7pm on PAC12
- Sat 5/27
- Big 10 Semifinals @ 9am on BTN
- SEC tournament Semifinals @ 12pm on SEC
- ACC tournament Semifinals @ 12pm on ACC
- Big 10 Semifinals @ 1pm on BTN
- West Coast Conference Final @ 3pm on ESPNU
- SEC tournament Semifinals @ 4pm on SEC
- ACC tournament Semifinals @ 4pm on ACC
- Big 10 Semifinals – Game 3 if needed @ 7pm on BTN
- Pac 12 Final @ 7pm on ESPNU
- Big 10 Semifinals – Game 3 if needed @ 9pm on BTN
- Sun 5/28
- ACC Final @ 11am on ESPN2
- American Athletic Final @ 11am on ESPNEWS
- SEC Final @ 2pm on ESPN2
- Big 10 Final @ 2pm on BTN
- Big 12 Final @ 5pm on ESPNU
Softball – NCAA:
- Thurs 5/25
- 3. Florida St vs 14. Georgia @ 6pm on ESPN2
- 6. Oklahoma St vs Oregon @ 8pm on ESPN2
- Fri 5/26
- 8. Duke vs 9. Stanford @ 11am on ESPN2
- 1. Oklahoma vs 16. Clemson @ 1pm on ESPN2
- 4. Tennessee vs 13. Texas @ 3pm on ESPN2
- 6. Oklahoma St vs Oregon @ 5pm
- 5. Alabama vs 12. Northwestern @ 7pm on ESPNU
- 3. Florida St vs 14. Georgia @ 7pm
- 7. Washington vs Louisiana @ 9pm on ESPN2
- 15. Utah vs San Diego St @ 9pm on ESPNU
- Sat 5/27
- 1. Oklahoma vs 16. Clemson @ 12pm
- 8. Duke vs 9. Stanford @ 2pm
- 4. Tennessee vs 13. Texas @ 2pm
- 15. Utah vs San Diego St @ 4pm
- 7. Washington vs Louisiana @ 6pm
- 5. Alabama vs 12. Northwestern @ 8pm
- Game 3 – if needed: 6. Oklahoma St vs Oregon @ TBD
- Game 3 – if needed: 3. Florida St vs 14. Georgia @ TBD
- Sun 5/28
- Game 3 – if needed: 1. Oklahoma vs 16. Clemson @ TBD
- Game 3 – if needed: 8. Duke vs 9. Stanford @ TBD
- Game 3 – if needed: 4. Tennessee vs 13. Texas @ TBD
- Game 3 – if needed: 15. Utah vs San Diego St @ TBD
- Game 3 – if needed: 7. Washington vs Louisiana @ TBD
- Game 3 – if needed: 5. Alabama vs 12. Northwestern @ TBD
Basketball – NBA:
- Mon 5/22
- West Finals – Game 4: Nuggets at Lakers @ 7:30pm on ESPN
- Tues 5/23
- East Finals – Game 4: Celtics at Heat @ 7:30pm on TNT
- Wed 5/24 – if necessary
- West Finals – Game 5: Lakers at Nuggets @ 7:30pm on ESPN
- Thurs 5/25– if necessary
- East Finals – Game 5: Heat at Celtics @ 7:30pm on TNT
- Fri 5/26– if necessary
- West Finals – Game 6: Nuggets at Lakers @ 7:30pm on ESPN
- Sat 5/27– if necessary
- East Finals – Game 6: Celtics at Heat @ 7:30pm on TNT
- Sun 5/28– if necessary
- West Finals – Game 7: Lakers at Nuggets @ 7:30pm on ESPN
- Mon 5/29 – if necessary
- East Finals – Game 7: Heat at Celtics @ 7:30pm on TNT
Football:
- Sat 5/27
- USFL: Birmingham at NOLA @ 3pm on FOX
- USFL: Phili at Pitt @ 8pm on FS1
- Sun 5/28
- USFL: Houston at Memphis @ 1:30pm on USA
- USFL: Michigan at NJ @ 4:30pm on FS1
Golf:
- Tues 5/23
- NCAA Women’s Team Quarterfinal @ 12pm on Golf Channel
- NCAA Women’s Team Semifinal @ 5pm on Golf Channel
- Wed 5/24
- NCAA Women’s Team Final @ 5pm on Golf Channel
- Thurs 5/25
- PGA: Charles Schwab Challenge – Round 1 @ 4pm on Golf Channel
- Fri 5/26
- LIV: DC Round 1 @ 12:15pm on CW
- PGA: Charles Schwab Challenge – Round 2 @ 4pm on Golf Channel
- Sat 5/27
- LIV: DC Round 2 @ 12:15pm on CW
- Senior PGA Championship – 3rd Round @ 12:30pm on NBC
- PGA: Charles Schwab Challenge – Round 3
- @ 1pm on Golf Channel
- @ 2pm on CBS
- Sun 5/28
- LIV: DC Final Round @ 12:15pm on CW
- PGA: Charles Schwab Challenge – Final Round
- @ 1pm on Golf Channel
- @ 2pm on CBS
- Senior PGA Championship – Final Round @ 3pm on NBC
Hockey:
- Mon 5/22
- East Final – Game 3: Hurricanes at Panthers @ 7pm on TNT
- Tues 5/23
- West Final – Game 3: Golden Knights at Stars @ 7pm on ESPN
- Wed 5/24
- East Final – Game 4: Hurricanes at Panthers @ 7pm on TNT
- Thurs 5/25 – if necessary
- West Final – Game 4: Golden Knights at Stars @ 7pm on ESPN
- Fri 5/26 – if necessary
- East Final – Game 5: Panthers at Hurricanes @ 7pm on TNT
- Sat 5/27 – if necessary
- West Final – Game 5: Stars at Golden Knights @ 7pm on ABC
- Sun 5/28 – if necessary
- East Final – Game 6: Hurricanes at Panthers @ 7pm on TNT
- Mon 5/29 – if necessary
- West Final – Game 6: Golden Knights at Stars @ 7pm on ESPN
Motorsports:
- Sun 5/28
- F1 Monaco GP @ 8am on ESPN
- Indy 500 @ 11:30am on NBC
Olympic Sports:
- Sat 5/27
- Track & Field: West Regional @ 3:30pm on NBC
Soccer:
- Mon 5/22
- Premier League: NewcastleU vs Leicester City @ 2pm on USA
- Tues 5/23
- La Liga: Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano @ 12:30pm on ESPN2
- Wed 5/24
- FIFA Men’s U20 World Cup: USA vs FIJI @ 3am on FS1
- Premier League: Brighton vs Manchester City @ 2pm on USA
- CONCACAF Women’s U20: USA vs PAN @ 6pm on FS1
- Sat 5/27
- FIFA Men’s U20 World Cup: SLA vs USA @ 2pm on FS1
- CONCACAF Women’s U20: JAM vs USA @ 4am on FS1
- Sun 5/28
- MLS: Nashville SC vs Columbus Crew @ 7:30pm on FS1
Tennis:
- Sun 5/28
- French Open: Round 1 @ 11am on Peacock
- Mon 5/29
- French Open: Round 1
- @ 10am on NBC
- @ 2pm on Peacock
- French Open: Round 1
