Baseball: Questionable call costs Braves the game. Was he safe? Mancini returns to the game after cancer. Softball: UNT Hope Tratwein perfect game. MLB injury reports.
Basketball-NBA: ARod and Love to buy MN bball teams. Celtics comeback. Kanter’s rebounds. Missing players.
Basketball-NCAAM: Baylor wins NCAAM. Garza sells NFT. Ollie to coach Overtime Elite. UCLA HC extension. OU new coaches.
Football: SC shooting by former NFL player. LSU being sued. Deshaun loses sponsors. WY recruit Evans killed in Dallas. Rodgers running Jeopardy.
Golf: Hideki Matsuyama is the first JPN Masters Champion. All the Masters deets.
Olympic Sports: UMass wins NCAA hockey. World Curling Champs back on. Ledecky sweeps in California. Boston Marathon considering new date? Tokyo COVID protocols.
Baseball:
- The Braves are not happy with this call that ended up being the final and game winning run. Phillies 3B Alec Bohm slide into home plate and was called safe to take the lead 7-6 but after further examination, it appears he never touched the plate. The call was reviewed by the replay booth during the game and the call (of safe) was upheld. The MLB even has restated that the call could not be overturned, which a lot of baseball’s stars disagree with.
- In a cool moment, Trey Mancini got a standing ovation for his first at-bat at home in the Orioles stadium after returning from cancer. At the early age of 29, Mancini was diagnosed with colon cancer and missed the 2020 COVID season. But he’s back now and felt the love.
- This story is technically softball. North Texas P Hope Trautwein pitched a perfect game on Sunday against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. She got 21 strikeouts against 21 batters to complete North Texas’ first perfect game. It has not been confirmed yet but it is likely the first NCAA DI 7-inning game where every out was a K. This is the second time Trautwein has pitched 21 Ks but in the first game of the season where she did that she also have up 5 hits and 2 runs.
- We have some injuries to report:
- Angels’ RF Dexter Fowler tore his ACL during this play in their game against the Blue Jays on Friday. The tear will require surgery and his season is over.
- Tigers’ 1B Miguel Cabrera is on the 10-day IL after he strained his left bicep in Saturday’s game. He batted 3xs, not getting on base, until he was pulled in the ninth. This follows the injury of RHP Julio Teheran who has a shoulder strain. Teheran was placed in the 60-day IL and is expected to miss at least a month.
- Phillies relief P Archie Bradley is also added to the 10-day IL with an oblique injury that occurred in Saturday’s game against the Braves. TBD on his return timing.
- Padres’ LHP Adrian Morejon left Sunday’s game against the Rangers after only 3 batters on Sunday. He appeared to strain his elbow/forearm. Of the 16 pitches he threw, 6 were balls, 5 were strikes, 4 were fouls and one was a groundout.
Basketball-NBA:
- ARod, yes I know this is in the bball section – stay with me, and billionaire Marc Love are finalizing a deal to buy the MN Timberwolves and the WNBA team the Lynx from majority owner Glen Taylor. ARod and Love would likely take over in 2023 and pay $1.5Bn. The Lynx have been the more prolific team in MN with 4 championships over the last decade in comparison with the Timberwolves who have missed playoffs 16 of the last 17 seasons.
- The Celtics came back in epic fashion to beat the Nuggets 105-87. The team went 31-8 in the 4th to win. Jaylen Brown had a killer dunk in the final 1:34 to make it feel even worse for the Denver team.
- The Trail Blazers beat the Pistons 118-103 on Saturday mainly due to Enes Kanter. Kanter had 24 points but a record breaking 30 rebounds. This is a new franchise record and his teammates went crazy every time he added to it. The previous record was only 27 from 1975. Kanter is only 1 of 4 players to get 30 rebounds in one game in the last 20 years.
- Who’s missing what?
- Warriors rookie, James Wiseman, tore his meniscus on Saturday night against the Rockets. He is likely to miss the rest of the season.
- Kyrie Irving will miss the Nets’ game vs the Timberwolves tonight due to personal reasons. No other explanation was given. James Harden will also be out for this game and KD is still on minutes restrictions.
- Playoffs will start on 5/22. So here are the NBA Standings so far:
- East: 76ers, Nets, Bucks (36, 36, 33 Ws)
- Last in: Knicks (2 Ws over Pacers)
- West: Jazz, Suns, Clippers (40, 37, 37 Ws)
- Last in: Grizzlies (1 Ws over Spurs)
- East: 76ers, Nets, Bucks (36, 36, 33 Ws)
Basketball – NCAAM:
- We have a new NCAA March Madness Champion! The Baylor Bears handed Gonzaga their first loss of the season in the championships game last Monday. It was pretty much over by the end of the first half with Baylor up by 10 but definitely dominating the game. Baylor went 5 for 5 from the 3 point line and lead by 19 points at one point. Jalen Suggs had 2 early fouls and was clearly heartbroken after the game.
- Luka Garza has joined on the NFT train. His 1-of-1 NFT sold for $41,141 and includes highlights of him ‘Luka Garza National Player of the Year Card’ along with meeting, having dinner and a movie with Garza and playing HORSE with him. It also includes sharing in Garza’s meditation techniques, a VIP pass to bball camps hosted by Garza and an autographed pair of shoes he wore when he broke the career scoring record at Iowa. Some of the proceeds will go to the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital (remember the GameDay feature when the stadium waves to the kids?).
- #GFHint: NFT means non-fungible tokens. Think of this like a virtual trading card that works kinda like Bitcoin. People pay to own the rights to that ‘card’ (video or photo).
- Kevin Ollie, previously UConn coach and 13-year NBA veteran, has been chosen to coach and be Director of Player Development for a new bball league for prospects 16-18 years old. The new league, Overtime Elite, will offer financial packages and academic development for high school players to play prep school and international teams year-round. The players can then enter the G-League or the NBA draft.
- After their run from First Four to Final Four, UCLA HC Mick Cronin has signed a 2-year contract extension for $4MM/yr. this will keep him at UCLA through 2027.
- Scotty Pippen Jr, obviously son of the HoFer, has declared for the NBA draft as a Sophomore. The G has not gotten an agent yet however so he could still return to Vanderbilt, where he currently plays.
- OU has announced their 2 new bball HCs. Both women’s and men’s basketball coaches retired after this season and will be missed. Lon Kruger and Sherri Coale left big shoes to fill…
- Porter Moser is the new HC for the men’s team. He was previously the HC for Loyola-Chicago from 2011-2021. He led the Ramblers to the Final Four in 2018 and the Sweet 16 this year. Loyola reached their highest ever ranking this year, going as high as #9 in the poll. He will be in Norman for 6 years with his current contract.
- Jennie Baranczyk is the new HC for the women’s team. She was previously HC for Drake for the last 9 seasons.
Football:
- In shocking news last week, the South Carolina shooting (which has been one in a string recently) was carried out by a former NFL football player, Phillip Adams. He killed himself after he shot a doctor and his wife, their 2 grandchildren and a man who worked in their home. The grandkids were 9 and 5 years old. One other person was shot but is currently in the hospital fighting hard to stay alive. The shooter was 32 and previously played 6 years in the NFL on 6 different teams. No motive has been found yet.
- LSU is being sued for $50MM by a current associate athletic director. Sharon Lewis says she was not given raises and was verbally abused because she came forward about comments that Les Miles, the then football HC, had said and that she reported sexual acts by his. She also claims the school then covered up the report for 8 years. It does seem that he never actually engaged in sex with any of the women but was certainly creepy and came on to several students during his time at LSU. The Mad Hatter is now currently employed by Kansas and has been put on administrative leave. No word yet if he will continue to coach for the Jayhawks.
- Things keep getting worse for Deshaun Watson. After last week when a judge ruled that the anonymity of the accusers cannot stay that way, one of the women, Ashley Solis, finally came forward publicly. The actions of Deshaun’s sponsors was swift. Nike, Beats and Reliant energy all either dropped or suspended their sponsorship of the athlete. Solis is one of 23 accusers. Watson remains vigilant in arguing he did nothing wrong and sex was consensual. This story will likely continue to be updated weekly.
- Tony Evans Jr was a promising Wyoming WR football recruit from Lancaster, TX was shot and killed in a hotel by Love Field in Dallas on Sunday. No suspects have been found and police are currently offering a reward for any info.
- Just for fun, tune in to Jeopardy to see your favorite (or not if you’re not a Packers fan) Green Bay QB playing host. Aaron Rodgers has hosted for a week and has a week to go. We looking at a second career in the making?
Golf:
- Its Masters Week! And it was one of the history books. Hideki Matsuyama became the first Japanese golfer to win the Masters and he did so exactly 10 years after he won low amateur honors as a 19 year old. He has definitely established himself as one of Japan’s top athletes in a year where they will host the Olympics. He is certainly making an argument to carry the Olympic flag in the opening ceremonies. Remember golf is an Olympic sport now! Matsuyama went into the final day 4 strokes up on any of the other golfers in the field and although some tried (Xander Schauffle and Will Zalatoris), Hideki never lost his lead. He did only win by 1 stroke though but a win is a win!
- Final scores
- Some of the favorites weren’t in the field. Defending champion, Dustin Johnson, Mr. Major aka Brooks Koepka, previous Masters champ, Sergio Garcia, Rory McIlroy and Jason Day all missed the cut when the course played harder than we have seen in a while.
- What are the odds? Rory hit his own father with his ball on hole 7.
Olympic Sports:
- UMass is the new NCAA Champion in men’s hockey after they beat St. Cloud in a 5-0 shutout. This is the school’s first hockey title and only their 3rd NCAA tournament. They went 20-5-4 this season.
- The World Curling Championships were put on pause for a day after 3 positive COVID tests. However it has resumed and now the players have to be masked. One of the playoff teams members did test positive but the curling committee allowed the player to compete as that person’s follow up test was negative. The semifinals are now set: SUI vs SWE and SCO vs RUS. The USA and CAN teams, reached the top 6 and therefore solidify their spot in the 2022 Beijing Olympic games.
- In a surprise to no one, Katie Ledecky keeps dominating the swimming world. She won the 1500m free, the 400m free and the 200m free all with the fastest times in the world right now – yes in all 3 events. The 1500m will debut as a swimming event for the women in Tokyo. Look for Katie to take home some serious hardware later this year.
- The Boston Marathon might be moving off of its rescheduled date after Native Americans in MA say it conflicts with a day to commemorate contributions of indigenous people. They think it will undercut the day with everyone distracted with the race.
- Olympic athletes during the Tokyo games that test positive for COVID or have symptoms will be isolated in a hotel near the Olympic Village. Less than 1% of Japanese people have been vaccinated but Japan also only has 9,500 deaths due to the virus. 80% of Japanese do not want the Olympics to happen.
- Want to watch the Women’s NCAA volleyball tournament? ESPN listened. They will now air all 47 games with commentators. This will be the first time that the first two rounds will have network broadcasts.
What to watch this week
Baseball-MLB:
- Tues 4/13
- Phillies at Mets @ 6:10pm on ESPN
- Nola vs Walker
- Reds at Giants @ 8:45pm on ESPN
- Castillo vs Gausman
- Phillies at Mets @ 6:10pm on ESPN
- Sun 4/18
- Braves at Cubs @ 6:08pm on ESPN
- Fried vs Alzolay
- Braves at Cubs @ 6:08pm on ESPN
Baseball/Softball–NCAA: (ranked vs ranked only)
- Mon 4/12
- NCAA Softball: 22. Georgia at 11. Kentucky @ 6pm on SEC
- NCAA Softball: 2. UCLA at 4. Oregon @ 9pm on ESPNU
- NCAA Softball: 3. Alabama at 8. Arkansas @ 11pm on ESPNU
- Tues 4/13
- NCAA Baseball: 24 Florida St at 18. Florida @ 6pm on SEC
- Wed 4/14
- NCAA Baseball: 17. Florida St at 7. Louisville @ 5pm on ESPNU
- Thurs 4/15
- NCAA Softball: 15. LSU at 19. Mizzou replay @ 12am on ESPNU
- Fri 4/16
- NCAA Softball: 8. Arkansas at 22. Georgia @ 5pm on SEC+
- NCAA Softball: 23. Texas St at 17. Louisiana @ 6pm on ESPN+
- NCAA Baseball: 6. Ole Miss at 4. Mississippi St @ 6pm on SEC
- NCAA Baseball: 2. Vanderbilt at 5. Tennessee @ 6pm on ESPNU
- NCAA Baseball: 13. Oklahoma St at 12. TCU @ 6:30pm on ESPN+
- Sat 4/17
- NCAA Softball: 8. Arkansas at 22. Georgia @ 1pm on SEC+
- NCAA Softball: 5. Florida at 3. Alabama @ 1pm on ESPN2
- NCAA Softball: 23. Texas St at 17. Louisville @ 2pm on ESPN+
- NCAA Baseball: 6. Ole Miss at 4. Mississippi St @ 2pm on SEC+
- NCAA Baseball: 13. Oklahoma St at 12. TCU @ 2pm on ESPN+
- NCAA Softball: 8. Texas at 1. Oklahoma @ 3pm on ESPN2
- NCAA Baseball: 2. Vanderbilt at 5. Tennessee @ 3pm on SEC
- Sun 4/18
- NCAA Baseball: 2. Vanderbilt at 5. Tennessee @ 12pm on SEC+
- NCAA Softball: 23. Texas St at 17. Louisville @ 12pm on ESPN+
- NCAA Softball: 8. Arkansas at 22. Georgia @ 1pm on SEC+
- NCAA Softball: 5. Florida at 3. Alabama @ 1pm on SEC
- NCAA Baseball: 13. Oklahoma St at 12. TCU @ 1pm on ESPN+
- NCAA Baseball: 6. Ole Miss at 4. Mississippi St @ 1pm on SEC+
- NCAA Softball: 8. Texas at 1. Oklahoma @ 4pm on SEC
Basketball-NBA:
- Mon 4/12
- 76ers at Mavericks @ 6:30pm on ESPN
- Nuggets at Warriors @ 9pm on ESPN
- Tues 4/13
- Clippers at Pacers @ 6:30pm on TNT
- Celtics at Trail Blazers @ 9pm on TNT
- Wed 4/14
- Nets at 76ers @ 6pm on ESPN
- Mavericks at Grizzlies @ 8:30pm on ESPN
- Thurs 4/15
- Bucks at Hawks @ 6:30pm on TNT
- Celtics at Lakers @ 9pm on TNT
- Fri 4/16
- Clippers at 76ers @ 6pm on ESPN
- Knicks at Mavericks @ 8:30pm on ESPN
- Sat 4/17
- Jazz at Lakers @ 3:30pm on ESPN
- Warriors at Celtics @ 7:30pm on ABC
- Sun 4/18
- Pelicans at Knicks @ 12pm on ESPN
- Nets at Heat @ 2:30pm on ESPN
Golf:
- Thurs 4/15
- RBC Heritage – Round 1 @ 2pm on Golf Channel
- Fri 4/16
- RBC Heritage – Round 2 @ 2pm on Golf Channel
- Sat 4/17
- RBC Heritage – Round 3
- @ 12pm on Golf Channel
- @2pm on CBS
- RBC Heritage – Round 3
- Sun 4/18
- RBC Heritage – Round 4
- @ 12pm on Golf Channel
- @2pm on CBS
- RBC Heritage – Round 4
Hockey:
- Tues 4/13
- Flyers at Capitals @ 6pm on NBCSN
- Wed 4/14
- Avalanche at Blues @ 6:30pm on NBCSN
- Golden Knights at Kings @ 9pm on NBCSN
- Thurs 4/15
- Panthers at Lightning @ 6pm on NBCSN
- Sat 4/17
- Penguins at Sabres @ 2pm on NBC
- Sun 4/18
- Capitals at Bruins @ 11am on NBC
- Islanders at Flyers @ 5:30pm on NBCSN
- Kings at Avalanche @ 8pm on NBCSN
Motorsports:
- Mon 4/12
- Supercross – Atlanta @ 9pm on NBCSN
- Thurs 4/15
- NASCAR @ 3:30pm on NBCSN
- Sat 4/17
- Supercross – Atlanta @ 6pm on NBCSN
- IndyCar – Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama: Qualifying @ 9pm on NBCSN
- Sun 4/18
- MotoGP – Portugal GP @ 1pm on NBCSN
Olympic Sports:
- Tues 4/13
- NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships @ 6pm on ESPNU
- Wed 4/14
- Curling: World Cup Final – Teams TBA @ 2pm on NBCSN
- Thurs 4/15
- Going 4 Gold: Kerri Walsh Jennings @ 12:30pm on NBCSN
- NCAA Fencing Championships – Finals @ 3pm on ESPNU
- Figure Skating: ISU World Team Trophy @ 10:30pm on NBCSN
- Fri 4/16
- Gymnastics: NCAA Women’s Semifinal 1 @ 12pm on ESPN2
- Gymnastics: NCAA Women’s Semifinal 2 @ 5pm on ESPN2
- Figure Skating: ISU World Team Trophy @ 5pm on NBCSN
- Sat 4/17
- Gymnastics: NCAA Women’s Final @ 2:30pm on ABC
- Gymnastics: NCAA Men’s Championship Final @ 7pm on BTN
- Figure Skating: ISU World Team Trophy @ 11pm on NBCSN
- Sun 4/18
- Volleyball: NCAA Tournament Regional Semifinals @ 1pm – 10pm on ESPNU
Soccer:
- Mon 4/12
- Premier League: West Brom vs Southampton @ 11:55am on NBCSN
- Premier League: Brighton & Hove Albion vs Everton @ 2:10pm on NBCSN
- Fri 4/16
- Premier League: Everton vs Tottenham Hotspur @ 2pm on NBCSN
- Sat 4/17
- Premier League: Newcastle United vs West Ham @ 6:30am on NBCSN
- Sun 4/18
- Premier League: Arsenal vs Fulham @ 7 :30am on NBCSN
- Premier League: ManU vs Burnley @ 10am on NBCSN
