BOSTON – Philadelphia’s rookie guard VJ Edgecombe and All-Star Tyrese Maxey combined to make 11 3-pointers and score 59 total points as the 76ers bounced back to even their Eastern Conference playoff series with the host Boston Celtics in a 111-97 decision on Tuesday.

Seventh-seeded Philadelphia (1-1) shook off a dismal Game 1 performance, which included making just four 3-pointers in Sunday’s 123-91 loss, with a complete reversal on the offensive end.

The Sixers shot a torrid 19-of-39 from beyond the arc in Game 2, with Quentin Grimes, Kelly Oubre Jr. and Paul George each adding a pair of made triples to supplement Edgecombe and Maxey.

Edgecombe and Maxey were the catalysts, however. The rookie Edgecombe finished 12-of-20 from the floor, including his 6-of-10 from beyond the arc, and grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds.

“This is who we are. Game 1 isn’t who we are,” Edgecombe said in his postgame interview with Peacock. “We let our offense dictate our defense (on Sunday), and we didn’t do that tonight.”

Philadelphia’s flipping of the script on the offensive end on Tuesday did indeed carry over defensively. The Sixers limited the Celtics (1-1) to 35-of-89 shooting from the floor, locking down each scoring option beyond the primary two of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum.

Brown went for a game-high 36 points, and Tatum finished with 19 points to go with his game-high 14 rebounds. No other Celtic reached double-figures scoring, however, a stark contrast from Game 1 when the entire Boston starting five notched at least 10 points.

And while Brown shot 5-of-12 from long distance, Boston’s other shooters combined to go just 8-for-38.

Philadelphia, meanwhile, got 19 points from George and 12 from Oubre. After foul trouble limited him in Game 1, Andre Drummond came off the bench to provide the Sixers quality minutes on the interior with 10 points and eight rebounds.

–Field Level Media

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SAN ANTONIO – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Scoot Henderson poured in a season-best 31 points as the visiting Portland Trail Blazers came back from 14 points down in the fourth quarter to outlast the short-handed San Antonio Spurs 106-103 on Tuesday and even their first-round Western Conference playoff series at one win each.

The teams will play Game 3 on Friday in Portland, and it’s unclear if the Spurs will have Victor Wembanyama available. The NBA Defensive Player of the Year hit his face on the floor in the second quarter and was diagnosed with a concussion. He is scheduled for further testing on Wednesday.

The Spurs, led by Stephon Castle’s team-high 18 points, carried a one-point lead into the fourth quarter but reeled off the first 13 points of the final period to build their advantage to 93-79. The Trail Blazers roared back to take the lead via a 7-0 run capped by a Jrue Holiday layup with 2:02 left and held on from there.

Holiday produced 16 points and nine assists, and Deni Avdija added 14 points for the Trail Blazers. The Spurs got 17 points from De’Aaron Fox plus 16 points and 12 rebounds from Devin Vassell.

Lakers 101, Rockets 94

LeBron James compiled 28 points, eight rebounds and seven assists to lead Los Angeles to a victory over visiting Houston, giving the Lakers a 2-0 lead in their first-round Western Conference playoff series.

With leading scorers Luka Doncic (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique) watching from the bench, Los Angeles’ Marcus Smart added 25 points, shooting 5 of 7 from 3-point range, and Game 1 hero Luke Kennard contributed 23 points, going 3 of 6 from deep.

Kevin Durant, who missed the opening game with a right knee contusion, scored 23 points for the Rockets, but he had nine turnovers and was held to three points after halftime. Alperen Sengun paired 20 points with 11 rebounds.

76ers 111, Celtics 97

VJ Edgecombe and Tyrese Maxey combined to make 11 3-pointers and score 59 total points as Philadelphia bounced back to even its Eastern Conference playoff series with host Boston.

Seventh-seeded Philadelphia shook off a dismal Game 1 performance, which included making just four 3-pointers in a 123-91 loss, with a complete reversal on the offensive end. The Sixers, who got 19 points from Paul George, shot a torrid 19 of 39 (48.7%) from beyond the arc in Game 2.

Jaylen Brown went for a game-high 36 points and Jayson Tatum finished with 19 points to go with his game-high 14 rebounds for the Celtics. No other Boston player reached double figures in scoring, a stark contrast from Game 1, when the Celtics’ entire starting five notched at least 10 points.

–Field Level Media

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Brazil’s Oscar Schmidt – (1958-2026)

By TERRY LYONS, Editor-in-Chief of Digital Sports Desk

BOSTON – The City of Boston is such a great place, especially this weekend when the sports side of Boston rises to the highest tide. On one weekend, we get to experience:

• Red Sox Major League Baseball, vs Detroit, leading into a series vs. the New York Yankees – all at Fenway Park
• Boston Bruins Stanley Cup Playoff ice hockey, @ the Buffalo Sabres
• Boston Celtics NBA Playoff basketball, vs the Philadelphia 76ers, at TD Garden
• And, the single best day of the year in this town – Patriots’ Day – when the 130th running of the Boston Marathon is staged from Hopkinton to Copley, while the Red Sox play a day game with the first pitch at 11:10am

All that sporting juice, there’s only one other place I’d rather be this weekend and that’s to pay my respects in SAO PAULO, Brazil, the hometown of the late Oscar Schmidt, nicknamed by his compatriots as “The Holy Hand.” ( “Mão Santa”). Yes, his ability to shoot a basketball was that good.

Let NBA legend, Hall of Famer, the great Larry Bird explain:

“I always admired Oscar (Schmidt) and considered him a friend. He was, without a doubt, one of the greatest players to ever play the game,” said Bird in the statement. “It was an honor of a lifetime when Oscar asked me to present him at his well deserved induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. My sincere condolences to Oscar’s family.”

So sadly, Oscar Schmidt passed away on Friday, at the age of 68, after what his family said was a 15-year battle against brain cancer. His battle began, then, about two years before his 2013 induction to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. It was in Springfield when I last saw him, and enjoyed some brief moments recalling times gone by and so many fond memories all those years ago.

I first learned of Oscar when he lit up the scoreboard for 46 points in Brazil’s win over the United States in the 1987 Pan American Game, held at Market Square Arena in downtown Indianapolis. Schmidt’s performance came in the finals of the tournament as he led Brazil to a 120-115 win over an ABA-USA team that included then-college superstars and eventual No. 1 NBA Draft picks David Robinson and Danny Manning as well as then-Indiana University stars Keith Smart and Dean Garrett.

Fast forward to the 1992 Basketball Tournament of the Americas in Portland, Oregon where Brazil went (6-1) and qualified for the ‘92 Olympics in Barcelona, the first when NBA players were eligible to compete. Keep in mind, Schmidt had been drafted in 1984, a sixth round choice by the New Jersey Nets, but he chose not to sign an NBA contract as it would’ve ended his national team career with his teammates in Brazil.

Of course, Oscar was allowed to play pro ball in Europe where led the Italian top division in scoring six times while a member of Juve Caserta (1983–84, 1984–85, 1985-86, 1986–87, 1988–89, and 1989–90 seasons). A double-standard vs. the NBA players?

Yes.

Regardless of the unfair sports eligibility rules which kept him out of an NBA uniform, Schmidt played with pleasure for his country, and I always respected that fact. I can remember him celebrating with his Brazilian teammates in the back halls of the Portland Memorial Coliseum when they qualified. Like a small handful of the international players (count Yao Ming (China), Sasha Volkov and Sarunas Marciulionis (USSR) – (Ukraine) (Lithuania), Drazen Petrovic (Croatia), Jose “Piculin” Ortiz (Puerto Rico) or other NBA superstars like Steve Nash (Canada), Dirk Nowitzki (Germany), Tony Parker (France) or Manu Ginobili (Argentina), Oscar was always very friendly, professional and cordial with our dozens of requests. Quite frankly, I think he “batted” 1.000 with fulfilling the interview requests we thrust upon him. Only Andrew Gaze of Australia can be compared.

Schmidt was the same true pro in 2013 when I helped out at the BHofF with the Enshrinement as he joined Gary Payton, Richie Guerin, Bernard King and a handful of others in the festivities. In fact, I remember Oscar’s induction speech as being the very best of the night, delivered with a beret to cover his bald head, coming two years after his brain surgery and subsequent treatments.

MUST WATCH!

It was at or around the Hall Enshrinement when Schmidt uttered one of the great quotes in sports history.

Asked how he could explain his “Holy Hand,” and ability to shoot and score – at will – while others could barely manage to play alongside him or attempt to guard him, Schmidt replied simply, “Some people play the piano, and some people … They move the piano.”

God Bless the great Oscar Schmidt. He will rest in peace but his defenders can now, finally, rest on earth.

HERE NOW, THE NOTES: As mentioned at the top of this missive, it’s a special holiday weekend, here in Boston, Massachusetts. The NBA and NHL Playoffs were mentioned, as was the Boston Marathon and the 11am Red Sox game to coincide with the Patriots’ Day celebrations and the timing of the race.

Paraphrasing the advice Doc Rivers gave to me when we moved here in 2008, you just don’t fully understand Boston until you’ve lived here,” said Doc, who stepped down from his duties as head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks this week.

Exhibit 1-A of that statement is the full understanding of the Boston Marathon, a spectacle that draws more than 500,000 spectators along the race route, all cheering, screaming, sign-waving and, yes, drinking to their pleasure, mostly on front lawns and porches along the way.

Wellesley College gets a lot of props for the screaming and kissing that goes on as the runners zip past the gorgeous, suburban campus, as does Heartbreak Hill(s) – it’s really a series of three hills in Newton Centre, leading towards Boston College and the town of Chestnut Hill. The gradual, steep climb is one thing, but as the runners pass BC (Mile 21), the terrain turns to a downhill as the race enters its final 5.2 miles, and those calves and hamstrings which were working hard to climb all of a sudden are asked to switch gears.

In medical terms, in the sudden transition to the final downhill stretch, the runners all experience a significant shift in physical strain and mechanical demand. While the descent feels metabolically “easier,” it often causes more muscle damage than the uphills – due to the mechanics of eccentric loading.

As runners descend on the streets of Brighton, their quadriceps must act as “brakes” to control momentum and absorb impact. This requires the muscle to contract while it is simultaneously lengthening—a process called eccentric contraction that is more mechanically stressful than the concentric (shortening) contractions that were just used on Heartbreak Hill(s). The downhill running at this stage can result in up to 54% greater impact forces on the legs compared to running on a flat surface. Peak braking forces can increase by as much as 74%, leading to “shredded” quads and micro-tears in the muscle fibers.

First time runners have been told about this phenomenon, but, until they experience it, there’s nothing that can help.

It’s a metaphor for actually living in Boston. You can live in New York City or Tokyo and experience all of the overcrowded aspects of city life, the noise, the joys, the culture and the pressure, but – come to Boston – and you’ll experience an entirely different vibe, largely fueled by the successes or failures of the local professional sports teams. Boston is a small town – maybe call it a whole bunch of small towns all rolled into one.

The Boston Marathon unifies those eight towns and the running world into one – like no other day of the year.

The pure inspiration of the runners, gutting it for 26.2 in the most important marathon in the world, fuels the human spirit like no other event. The amateurs run the same course as the professionals and the amateurs receive the vast majority of the cheers and encouragement, especially in the afternoon.

The great Amby Burfoot, the 1968 Boston Marathon champion, calls Boston, “the Carnegie Hall” of marathons.

I might take it a step up from there.

“The Boston Marathon is to a runner as Red Rocks is to a Rock n’ Roll band.” – TL

TIDBITS & NUGGETS: Georgia Tech announced that their head basketball coach Scott Cross is adding Harvard assistant coach Matt Fraschilla to his staff. Matt is the son of former head coach Fran Fraschilla, now a popular television commentator on ESPN. “I have known Coach Matt Fraschilla for quite some time now,” Cross said. “I remember watching him play at Highland Park High School (Dallas) where he led the state in assists. On his coaching journey, Matt was part of Coach Jay Wright’s staff at Villanova that won a National Championship! I have watched him recruit in person and I know that he is one of the brightest, up-and-coming coaches in the country. He will instantly make our program better.” … FANZO, a tech platform that links brands, rights holders and broadcasters with fans who aren’t watching games in arenas or stadiums, announced that it will begin partnerships in North America after test-runs and scaling in Europe and the Pacific Rim. The new tech effort will support the millions of fans following the FIFA World Cup, being staged in North America this summer. … Speaking of this summer’s FIFA World Cup, the bars in Providence are petitioning the city to allow their establishments to stay open all night long, figuring many of their patrons might be adjusting to time zone changes, or just flat-out thirsty. The Boston leg of the World Cup will be played at nearby Foxborough, MA.

OF LOCAL INTEREST: The Boston Red Sox moved the start time of their Sunday, April 19th game against the Detroit Tigers at Fenway Park from 1:35 p.m. to 4:35 p.m. The change was made in consultation with Major League Baseball due to a forecast for an extended period of rain from mid-day into the afternoon.

LIV GOLF: What’s up with the LIV Golf Tour? There was a lot of speculation and some non-denial denials from LIV Golf execs in the USA and in Saudi Arabia where the PIF issued a new business plan, stating they’d be cutting down on funding of non-essential business outside of the country. WWYI will do some digging to see what’s in store for LIV Golf, Newcastle futbol, and some of the other sports the PIF has invested in over the past four years.

The Saudi PIF Plan is HERE.

LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil agreed to do an interview on this weekend’s broadcast from the LIV Golf tournament in Mexico. Here it is: HERE

The post TL’s Sunday Sports Notes | On Oscar appeared first on Digital Sports Desk.

By TERRY LYONS, Editor-in-Chief

BOSTON – The Boston Red Sox game was being televised by Apple TV and the NBA Playoffs were on Amazon Prime. Just what’s a sports fan without a Smart TV to do?

Pro lacrosse on ESPNU? College lacrosse on the Big Ten Network? Women’s pro ice hockey on NESN, not NESN+ or some other outlet to make room for the Red Sox. College baseball is on the ACC Network and the Big Ten Network, too.

Then, there’s always WEEI-Radio, 93.7 on your FM dial. All you would’ve heard is silence, as in three-up, three-down.

The fact of the matter is that you could’ve gone nine full innings and witnessed a grand total of seven hits, three by the Tigers and four by the Sox.

Many a baseball eye might’ve thought it was a classic pitcher’s dual, but neither lefty Ranger Suarez of the Sox, nor righty Casey Mize of Detroit looked particularly sharp. But they were both quite efficient.

What could be said is that both teams played a strong defensive game, including Boston’s Ceddanne Rafaela gunning down Detroit DH Jahmai Jones with a perfect throw to second to nip Jones’ effort to stretch a base hit to a double in thje top of the first inning. Or, a nifty 6-4-3 double-play by the Tigers in the home half of the fourth inning, cutting down Boston’s Trevor Story and the heart of the Sox line-up just before they could place a rally cap on Sox guest legend Jonny Gomes who was in the ballpark to soak up some suds and some cheers.

With two gone and one on (Jarren Duran infield hit), Mize, the Tigers’ starter, gave way to reliever Kyle Finnegan who retired the side on a ground ball to third (Hao-Yu Lee) and a major league scoop by first baseman Spencer Torkelson to keep the goose eggs fresh on the old school Monster scoreboard.

Mize departed with 6.2 IP, allowing three hits, no runs, while walking one batter and striking out seven. He threw 94 pitches (58 strikes) in the game.

Suarez, the Sox starter, went 8.0 IP, allowing only two hits and no runs while walking one and striking out four Detroit batters. Suarez threw 93 pitches with 55 for strikes before giving way to Sox closer Aroldis Chapman who entered the game in the top of the ninth with the score still blank.

Finnegan kept us awake long enough to give way to lefty Brant Hurter in the bottom of the eighth with two out and one on base (Conner Wong walk), and Hurter retired Roman Anthony on a drive to left center. No score through eight full innings.

Chapman held his own, although he did face clean-up hitter in catcher Dillon Dingler with men on second and third and two out. Chapman struck out Dingler to retire the side and turn the game over to the Red Sox offense in the bottom of the ninth to no avail.

Free baseball placed the phantom runner (Dingler) on second base, and he tagged-up on a fly ball to right by pinch hitter Riley Greene, but the Tigers bats stalled and reliever Garrett Whitlock retired three straight batters to send it to the home 10th with the Sox phantom runner, the speedy Jarren Duran, on second base and Rafaela at bat.

With a 2-2 count, Duran advanced to third base on a wild pitch by reliever Will Vest, giving the Red Sox the golden opportunity to win the game.

Rafaela struck out.

Sox second baseman Marcelo Mayer, facing the Tigers’ infield of five players, drew a walk, and Boston manager sent pinch hitter Masataka Yoshida to the plate, first and third with only one out. The Tigers kept five infielder close and two outfielders stationed in left center and right center field.

Yoshida slapped a base hit over the first baseman’s head and it rolled slowly towards the right field wall, a walk-off single and game-winning RBI to score Duran.

Boston took the first game of the four game series, 1-0.

The post Yoshida Delivers Walk-Off Single for Win appeared first on Digital Sports Desk.

BOSTON – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – It is not about how you start, right? The Boston Red Sox are hoping that is the case for the first month of the long and winding Major League Baseball season.

Following Wednesday’s series-closing win at the Minnesota Twins, Boston kicks off a challenging seven-game homestand against the surging Detroit Tigers on Friday night. The four-game set extends through Monday’s traditional 11:05 a.m. start on the Patriots’ Day holiday in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

“We’re (three) weeks into the season, and we feel like we haven’t played anywhere close to our best baseball. And it could be way worse,” shortstop Trevor Story said. “Once we get rolling and once we get to doing the things that we know we can do on a consistent basis, we’re excited about that.”

The Red Sox were on the verge of being swept in Minnesota, falling down 1-0 in the first inning before scoring the next nine runs on the way to the 9-5 victory. Story hit a three-run home run and drove in five, while Andruw Monasterio went 3-for-5.

Connelly Early backed it all up with six innings of one-run pitching, and now Boston will turn the ball to left-hander Ranger Suarez (1-1, 5.02 ERA) for Friday’s start.

Suarez looks to build off his best performance in a Red Sox uniform last Saturday at St. Louis, as he allowed just three hits and struck out six while shutting out the Cardinals through six innings.

“He moved the ball around,” Boston manager Alex Cora said. “It seems like his arm was a lot quicker than the first two (starts). It tells me he feels better.”

Suarez made starts for the Philadelphia Phillies against Detroit in each of the last two seasons. He went 0-1 with a 3.46 ERA across a combined 13 innings.

Meanwhile, Detroit hopes to bottle up its recent success as winners of six straight games, including a 10-9 comeback victory over the visiting Kansas City Royals on Thursday. An up-and-down season has seen the Tigers go from 4-4 to 4-9 and back above the .500 mark to 10-9.

Riley Greene’s two-out, two-run double tied the score and Colt Keith’s walk-off single capped a three-run rally in the ninth inning to seal their third straight one-run win.

“Part of our DNA is our willingness to do anything, but the other part that comes with that is we’re going to play ‘til the end. We’ve had to do that,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. “These are funky wins with one run, or coming up late. … Our guys play all 27 outs.”

The Tigers, who banged out a season-high 14 hits, held a 6-1 lead after five innings before the Royals posted a six-run seventh. The game also included nearly two hours of rain delays.

Dillon Dingler hit a two-run homer — his team-leading fourth of the season — in the fifth, while Greene’s heroic swing capped a 3-for-4 day.

“We’re being clutch on both sides, with our pitching and hitting, but we’re playing really clean, good baseball right now,” Keith said. “We’re showing it on the scorecard. We’re winning.”

Like Suarez, Detroit starter Casey Mize (1-1, 3.94) is also coming off his first win of the season after throwing 5 2/3 innings of one-run ball to beat the Miami Marlins last Saturday. He struck out five.

Mize is 0-1 with a 3.95 ERA in five career starts against the Red Sox. He struck out eight in a 6 1/3-inning road no-decision on Sept. 26 of last season.

Detroit has won the last two season series.

–Field Level Media

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NEW YORK – (Staff Report from Official News Release) – FANZO, the tech platform that links brands, rights holders and broadcasters with fans who aren’t watching games in arenas or stadiums, announced that it will begin partnerships in North America after test-runs and scaling in Europe and the Pacific Rim. The new tech effort will support the millions of fans following the FIFA World Cup, being staged in North America this summer.

The successful proof of concept came after multiple executions in the United Kingdom, continental Europe and Australasia and is backed by a $30 million investment in their product which attempts to solve the age-old issue of sports rights fragmentation and audience measurement in out-of-home premises. The FANZO platform enables digital activation with fans at a national scale, wherever they are watching sports in or out of home.

Trusted by 47,000 partner venues worldwide, and used by six million sports fans last year outside North America, FANZO counts properties ranging from TNT Sports to World Rugby as partners.

“Until now, reliably engaging the massive out-of-home audience has been impossible and has proved a hindrance to the commercial growth of sports as rights continue to fragment across different channels and platforms. FANZO has worked with global partners to solve this critical issue – simplifying broadcast for venues and helping fans watch games socially – opening up new possibilities for commercial growth in North America”, said FANZO co-founder Leo MacLehose.

“Our mission is simple. We believe that sports experienced alone is meaningless. So we’ve built a digital platform that brings fans together to create unforgettable sporting memories in the world’s best physical locations. Once there, our tech enables brands, rights holders and broadcasters to elevate the experience of watching sports in the most authentic local community spaces – restaurants and bars,” he said.

“Maximising the profitability our commercial subscribers see from sport is central to what we do. But we recognise the challenges that operators face when managing every aspect of their venues – not least pouring pints and delivering great hospitality experiences to guests”, said Alasdair Collis, Vice President, TNT Sports Business. “Since partnering with FANZO to create a new suite of automated digital marketing tools, we’re proud to offer TNT Sports Social venues compelling ways to grow their visibility online, drive loyalty and incremental footfall for live sports without adding to their daily to-do list.”

How FANZO Problem Solves For Every Side Of The Sports Market

Fans use FANZO to find great out-of-home venues nearby that are definitely showing their game on TV. In a sports market so convoluted that senators are calling in antitrust reviews, FANZO’s market-leading tech solves a major pain point for fans who just want to watch their team.

Commercial venues use FANZO’s B2B SaaS toolkit to market live sports online, generate new business from fans looking to watch sports socially nearby, whilst saving hours per week on digital promotion.

From quickly reviewing and updating schedules across multiple broadcasters to automating promotion with bespoke sports assets across social media.

Broadcasters include FANZO as part of their commercial package to venues to win new business, promising increased footfall and best-in-class marketing automation.

These tools reduce subscription churn by ensuring venues make the most of their sports content, increasing revenue per customer by upselling additional features and premium listings, whilst leveraging unique fixture data and insights to ensure long-term success over local rivals.

Brands use FANZO to impact behaviour throughout the out-of-home sports fan journey. Multiple digital touchpoints build awareness and consideration by ensuring fans choose to watch games in venues where certain products are sold.

From there, digital gamification rewards fans with real-world offers and prizes they can claim in-venue via FANZO’s mobile vouchering, helping brands sample new products, understand rate of sale and measure the impact of longer-term community-building efforts.

The post Sports Biz: Introducing FANZO to USA appeared first on Digital Sports Desk.

MINNEAPOLIS – Trevor Story hit a three-run home run and drove in five runs to help the visiting Boston Red Sox avoid a three-game sweep by defeating the Minnesota Twins, 9-5, Wednesday afternoon. After he homered against Minnesota starting pitcher Simeon Woods Richardson in the third inning, Story added a two-run double in the sixth. Story’s home run was his second of the season.

Andruw Monasterio collected three hits for the Red Sox. Monasterio was playing in place of Willson Contreras, who removed himself from Tuesday’s game with back stiffness. Roman Anthony and Isiah Kiner-Falefa each had two hits in the win.

Boston starter Connelly Early (1-0) earned the win for holding the Twins to one run on two hits in six innings. He struck out five and walked two. Woods Richardson (0-3) allowed seven runs (six earned) on 10 hits in five innings.

Austin Martin and Ryan Kreidler homered for Minnesota, which outscored Boston 19-6 in the first two games of the series.

The Twins entered Wednesday’s game with a six -game home winning streak.

The post Red Sox Score Early, Often appeared first on Digital Sports Desk.

WORCESTER – (Staff Report from Official News Release) – For decades, former Red Sox front office veep Dr. Charles Steinberg has helped shape the soundtrack of baseball – from iconic ballpark traditions to original songs that celebrate the spirit of the game. On Friday, May 8, he’ll bring that blend of music and baseball history to Worcester as the inaugural musical feature of the National Baseball Poetry Festival.

Steinberg’s session, scheduled from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at Polar Park, will feature live performances of baseball songs, WooSox favorites, and mascot-themed music, along with behind-the-scenes stories drawn from his career in professional baseball. The program will conclude with an open Q&A, giving fans and families the chance to hear firsthand about the traditions, personalities, and moments that have defined the game’s cultural legacy. Participation in the session is free and open to the public.

A longtime baseball executive, educator, and musician, Steinberg has held leadership roles with the Baltimore Orioles, San Diego Padres, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Commissioner of Baseball’s office, and the Pawtucket and later Worcester Red Sox, where he has been widely recognized for blending sports, entertainment, and community engagement. He is also known for his contributions to some of baseball’s most beloved traditions, including helping bring music and storytelling into the ballpark experience in ways that connect generations of fans.

“Ever since childhood, I have enjoyed baseball’s soundtrack,” said Steinberg. “Music can connect families, friends, and crowds in an endearing and enduring way. Many have recognized for decades that baseball is a game for poets; the opportunity to celebrate those words, to write those lyrics, and to add the music has been among the greatest privileges of my career. You can feel its impact.”

Among his many memorable moments in the game, Steinberg has shared stories about the origins and popularity of fan-favorite songs at ballparks – illustrating how music can transform a game into a shared cultural experience. His upcoming appearance at the Festival will offer an opportunity to hear those stories directly from the source, while also enjoying the music that has become part of baseball’s fabric.

“Dr. Charles Steinberg represents the very best of what makes baseball special – its traditions, its stories, and the way it brings people together,” said Steven Biondolillo, founder of the National Baseball Poetry Festival. “Having him join us as our inaugural musical feature adds a whole new dimension to the Festival experience. It gives attendees the chance to hear the music of the game directly from someone who has helped shape its sound and spirit for generations, and it’s another example of how we continue to grow the event in creative and meaningful ways.”

Steinberg has been instrumental in the establishment of such Fenway Park anthems as “Sweet Caroline,” “Tessie,” and “I’m Shippin’ Up to Boston,” as well as “Hells Bells” in San Diego, “Don’t Stop Believin’” in Los Angeles, plus his own compositions. His appearance is part of the fourth annual National Baseball Poetry Festival, which will take place May 7-10, 2026, primarily at Polar Park, home of the Worcester Red Sox. Founded in 2022, the Festival celebrates the intersection of baseball and the fine arts, bringing together poets, educators, students, and fans for a weekend of readings, workshops, performances, and ball games.

The post Celebrate the Soundtracks of Baseball appeared first on Digital Sports Desk.

By TERRY LYONS, Editor in Chief of Digital Sports Desk

BOSTON – There’s a four horse race looming for the Most Valuable Player in the National Basketball Association with a fifth horse ruled ineligible for lack of playing time/games. Here are the contenders, listed in alphabetical order:

• Jalen Brown, Boston Celtics
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder
• Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets
• Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs

The following NBA players are ineligible for postseason awards because of the fact they did not play the minimum number of games to qualify. That number of games, 65, was increased as a deterrent for teams resting the top players too often, a growing trend known as load management.

• *Luka Dončić, LA Lakers
• Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
• *Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons
• Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks
• Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns
• Jimmy Butler, GS Warriors
• Stephen Curry, GS Warriors
• Anthony Davis, Dallas Mavericks / Wash (DC) Wizards
• Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
• Paul George, Philadelphia 76ers
• Josh Giddey, Chicago Bulls
• LeBron James, LA Lakers
• Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz
• Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies
• Austin Reaves, LA Lakers
• Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings
• Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic
• Jalen Williams, OKC Thunder
• Trae Young, Hawks / Wizards

Note: The NBA delayed its post season award voting and later ruled that Luka Dončić and Cade Cunningham were now eligible for awards.*

Put simply, team/front office analysts and player agents believe that the fewer games (and minutes) a basketball star plays over an 82 games regular season will translate to extended careers, thus more years on their contract extentions, thus, more money to be earned. Most likely, there’s a significantly better chance for such a player to earn “Super Max” money in a fair number of contracts, starting with the player’s second or third deal and continuing until the player decides to retire or is injured and forced to retire.

Now, for the award in unintended consequences: In negotiations for the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, labor and management decided to tie together the concept of that “Super Max” to the annual postseason awards, thus putting the ability for players to qualify for the big bucks in the hands of the 100+ voters, all media members who cover the league on an 82-games a year basis. The panel is also bolstered by votes from select members of the league’s national broadcast teams, and an international media member or three are tossed in for good reason.

Big mistake.

Paraphrasing from the CBA with the help of the Villanova Law Review: “An NBA player qualifies for a Super Max contract (Designated Veteran Player Extension) by meeting specific performance criteria, primarily being named to an All-NBA team, winning MVP, or earning Defensive Player of the Year. The player must have 7-9 years of experience, be with their original team (or acquired via rookie deal), and have 1-2 years left on their contract.

Performance Criteria (Must meet one):

• Named to an All-NBA Team (1st, 2nd, or 3rd) in the most recent season or in two of the previous three seasons.
• Named Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) in the most recent season or in two of the previous three seasons.
• Named NBA MVP in any of the three previous seasons.

Eligibility & Service Requirements:

• Experience: Player must have completed seven or eight years of service (YOS).
• Team Requirement: The player must be on their original team or have been traded before their fifth season.
• Contract Timing: Eligible with one or two years remaining on their current contract.

Key Rules & Limitations

• Games Played Threshold: Under the latest NBA Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), players must appear in at least 65 regular-season games to be eligible for the postseason awards (All-NBA, DPOY, MVP) that trigger Super Max eligibility.
• Roster Limits: Recent CBA changes removed the limit on how many “Designated Veteran” players a team can have on its roster at once.
• Negotiation: Qualifying only makes a player eligible for the 35% max; the team is not required to offer the full amount and the terms of the deal must be negotiated.
• Trade Restrictions: A player cannot be traded for one year after signing a Super Max deal.

“Super Max’ Benefits:

• Allows a team to offer up to 35% of the total salary cap (vs. 30% for standard max).
• The contract length is for five years.

As sure as actor George Clooney portraying Frank William “Billy” Tyne Jr., captain of doomed Andrea Gail, would attest, this season is The Perfect Storm where all the rules of the CBA, the post season awards and the anti-load management have come home to roost.

What are the biggest problems the system has put forth? Let us count just a few ways.

• This season, players like Luka Doncic and Cade Cunningham deserve consideration for All-NBA, at the least, and MVP at the best.
• The NBA Players Association (NBPA) is calling for the 65-game rule to be abolished or reformed, arguing that it unfairly disqualifies deserving players from end-of-season honors due to injuries. That comes long after they ratified the deal.
• Tying the ability for a player to “Max” out to the whims of the media voting can (and will) place unjust pressure on the voters (media). The post season honors were intended to be a publicity/ attention grabber and cause for debate and an eventual photo op – not determine whether a player merits “Super Max” levels of salary.

By 2029 and 2030, the NBA maximum team salary figures will likely reach $200m and $220m, thus projecting the Super Max deals to come in at $80m per season and $400m per player over the life of a five-year deal – all potentially dependent on a vote or two on MVP or All-Defensive team honors.

All this said, the NBA is actively attempting to solve an obvious “Tanking” issue.

On Friday, April 10, the Associated Press reported that 168 NBA players did not play because of injury or illness.

One team, the OKC Thunder, might’ve had good reason, as they clinched the best record in the league and home court advantage for the duration of the playoffs.

“If we didn’t clinch [the No. 1 overall seed] coming into tonight, everybody would be playing,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said to reporters before the game. “We’ve earned the right through 80 games to manage their bodies and stuff like that.”

San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama, needing to play 20 minutes to reach the 65-game standard and be eligible for postseason awards, was taken out after hitting exactly that number of minutes. That accomplished, he reported back into the game, evidently having convinced the Spurs’ hierarchy that he needed a bit more work. He finished the Friday night game with 40 points, 13 rebounds and five assists in 26 minutes during a 139-120 win over the Dallas Mavericks.

“If I had 65 [games] before, I, for sure, wouldn’t have played,” Wembanyama said.

While we examine the upper echelon of NBA teams (As of Saturday, OKC is 64-17, and playing .790 ball with an (8-2) record over their prior 10 games and San Antonio is 62-19, and playing at a .765 clip with a (9-1) mark over their prior outings, the opposite side of the playoff qualifying ledger gets pretty ugly.

Before today’s season finale at Toronto, the Brooklyn Nets lost consecutive games by scores of (123-94) and (125-108). Meanwhile, the Washington Wizards have won a grand total of one game since February 22. That’s (1-and-25) for those of you scoring at home.

Five teams sit between the 17-win and 22-win threshold, all battling it out for the slight advantages of the NBA Draft Lottery system which was addressed by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver quite definitively at the recent NBA Board of Governors meeting. A vote of the three proposals Silver presented to his Board will come in May. (See proposals HERE).

HERE NOW, THE NOTES: I preface this section by stating it is written in bipartisan fashion, and – in fact – I’ll be ripping some of the “good guys” in U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn) along with Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and U.S. Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas) as the aforementioned group of four have introduced the Home Team Act, and it’s a doozie.

The lawmakers on Thursday introduced a bill that “could counter” professional sports franchises’ plans for relocating. The Home Team Act, if passed, would “require team ownership to provide one year of notice before moving a team to a new location if the team would move across state lines or to a new metropolitan area.” During that year prior to the proposed relocation, the franchise in question would be “available for other (presumably local) prospective owners to purchase ‘at a fair and reasonable price.’” A team of appraisers would determine “what constitutes as ‘fair and reasonable.’”

While it all sounds nice and an effort by local politicians to support their local sports team, while currying favor (a.k.a. ‘sucking up) to the local constituents with hopes of some votes down the road, it is quite a strike against a business owners’ rights to do what he thinks is best for his business and, very possibly, the future health of the franchise.

The case in point is the decision by the Mohegan Tribe to sell the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun to the Tellman Fertitta family who plan to move the Sun to Houston to become the second coming of the Houston Comets – the once mighty dynasty of WNBA years gone by.

Last summer, there was quite a kerfuffle when the Mohegan Tribe had a handshake with former Celtics team owner Stephen Pagliuca to sell the team and slide it up I-95 to play in the Boston Garden. The WNBA put the brakes on that cozy agreement and noted that the relocation of franchises was subject to the bylaws of the WNBA’s Constitution and By Laws. quite simply, the league had canvassed various potential cities for expansion and/or re-location and not a peep was heard from Boston.

The WNBA also noted that Houston was in line for a franchise and locating a team in the Southwest USA might be best. Meanwhile, another bid to move the Sun to Hartford from lovely Uncasville, Connecticut did not gain traction. The WNBA also noted that current NBA Boston Celtics’ team owner Bill Chisholm might have a say in the matter.

The other major factor was the relocation to either Hartford or Boston would place the Sun/Comets in a building they did not own nor operate, thus severely limiting the potential earnings of the franchise. And, keep in mind, the margins for a WNBA franchise to operate and turn a profit are slim and require revenue sources from every possible source (concessions, parking, etc.).

The politicians and the Home Team Act don’t seem to do (nor care about) the calculations to make the team successful. and face, it, the franchise is up for sale and potential relocation for a reason. If it were drowning in revenue, chances are the club would not be up for sale.

EXCUSE ME SIR, MAY I HAVE ANOTHER: On April 3, the day before the NCAA Final Four tipped-off in Indianapolis, the office of the White House dropped an Executive Order on the world of collegiate sports that – quite frankly – seemed quite illegal right from the moment it became public.

“The Urgent National Action to Save College Sports” made quite a splash with the “we want college sports to be the way it used to be” crowd. Of course, that group of American society – the people who ignored the 2015 “O’Bannon vs NCAA” case or the June 6, 2025 settlement between the NCAA and NIL claims.

Those two cases, handed down by the NCAA and the courts, significantly changed the landscape of Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) rights and college athletics overall. The settlement called for backpay and the ability for athletes to be paid directly by their schools. There was no longer a limit on scholarships per sport/team.

The “Settlement” introduced significant changes to college athletics and NIL, but it did not settle all outstanding issues, such as whether student athletes should be considered employees by their schools and whether student athletes have the right to collectively bargain.

Those issues still needs to be decided, but, of course, a Collective Bargaining Agreement would need to have two definitive sides representing labor and management to begin negotiations. As of now, the NCAA does not represent all of the management team (see College Football Playoff group, Power Four Conferences, basketball conferences, such as the BIG EAST, Olympic sports – both men and women, along with Division II or III athletes, their schools and conferences.

And, the athletes as a group would need to unionize to make it work.

Thus, the Executive Order put forth is like throwing a book of matches on top of a blazing fire of legal uncertainty in collegiate sports. and, clearly, what works for big-time college football doesn’t work for tennis or track and field. What works for the BIG EAST for men’s basketball, might not even work for the BIG EAST in women’s basketball.

While not a fan of piling “What About” on top of problems, how about a giant “What About” if applying all of the proposed laws and provisions of the EO on top of the IVY League schools?

The bottom line, the EO is a complete waste of time and money, as it will quickly be challenged in court and the findings will further divide the parties in an effort to find a legitimate working system for college sports.

What can be agreed upon:

• The current (lack of) system for collegiate football and basketball is not sustainable.
• The proposed limits to collegiate athletes is un-Constitutional. Why should they be singled out and limited?
• There doesn’t;t seem to be an equal restriction plan for college coaches, Athletic Directors and school Presidents. They seem to be able to move around as they please, with no limitations of years served, not the number of times they change jobs.
• Holding Federal Funding over the heads of the colleges is surely illegal.

One other point to be made, and it’s quite simple: Let’s reverse the Executive Order from collegiate athletes and apply it to elected officials:

We’ll call it, “Urgent National Action to Save Democracy,” and here are a few bullet-points for the EO.

• Elected officials are limited to a five year period to serve
• Elected officials may change jobs only once, this if a Congressman wishes to run for Senate after a five-year period of serving as an elected Representative in the House, “go get ‘em.” But that’s it. Only one job change.
• Same goes for Senators who might want to run for President. And, you get one crack at it, one election – win or go home. NO changes to City council or Mayor or any other elected office. “You’re done.”
• Presidents? One five-year term. Good-bye or go run for Dog Catcher back home.

We Have Spoken.

TIDBITS & NUGGETS: Boston Celtics point guard Payton Pritchard was named as the recipient of the 2026 Red Auerbach Award. The annual award, which was presented to Pritchard at mid-court by Celtics Team President Rich Gotham and Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens, prior to Boston’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night, is traditionally given to the Celtics player or coach who best exemplifies the spirit of what it means to be a Celtic through exceptional performance on and off the court.

“Payton’s growth and consistency speak to everything the Red Auerbach Award stands for – toughness, selflessness, and a commitment to the greater good of the team,” said Gotham. “He approaches his role with professionalism, purpose, and an amazing work ethic, earning the admiration and trust of his teammates and coaches alike.”

In 78 games (50 starts) this season, Pritchard is averaging career highs of 17.0 points (46.3 FG%, 37.4 3FG%, 88.8 FT%), 4.0 rebounds, and 5.1 assists in 32.4 minutes per game. The 2024 NBA champion and 2025 Sixth Man of the Year is one of only two Celtics players in history with multiple career 35-point games off the bench (Larry Bird).

Created in 2006, the award is named in honor of legendary Celtics coach, general manager and president, Arnold “Red” Auerbach.

SOX STRUGGLING, ALL BUT ABREU: The Boston Red Sox are struggling coming out of the gate this spring. They opened up on the road and won their season opener at Cincinnati. From there, they went (0-5) before they won another game when they returned to Fenway Park to face the san Diego Padres. After that win, it was three more losses before they put two wins together against the Milwaukee Brew Crew. With everyone on the club struggling, there’s been only one consistent source of production and that is from right fielder Wilyer Abreu who started in right in each of the Red Sox’ 13 games through Saturday, and is batting .392 (20-for-51) with a 1.101 OPS, eight runs, four doubles, one triple, three home runs and nine RBI. Going into the weekend, Abreu led the American League in total bases (35), hits (20) and batting aveerage (.392), while ranking third n SLG (.686), OPS (1.101), and extra base hits (eight, tied), 8th in OBP (.415) and doubles (four, tied), and T-11th in HR (3) and RBI (9).

MARATHON MAN: The Fenway Park Marathon will return to America’s Most Beloved Ballpark on Saturday, May 30, 2026. The race will offer runners a rare opportunity to complete a marathon distance entirely on the warning track inside Fenway Park while raising funds for two impactful nonprofits. Runners interested in securing one of the limited spots can register HERE

Originally run back in 2017, the Fenway Park Marathon is one of the most unique endurance events in the country, allowing participants to circle the historic ballpark’s warning track for 26.2 miles while surrounded by the sights and sounds of Fenway. The money raised via the race benefits the Red Sox Foundation and the Dave McGillivray Finish Strong Foundation. Registration is now open for the 2026 race, with participation limited to only 100 individuals. Due to strong interest in the event’s return, organizers have also added two new participation options for 2026: a half marathon distance and a relay team division of two, three, four or five runners on a team. All individual participants and teams are required to raise a minimum of $5,000 in support of the Red Sox Foundation and the Dave McGillivray Finish Strong Foundation. “Running a marathon inside Fenway Park is an experience unlike anything else in the sport,” said McGillivray. “Participants will spend the entire race on the warning track of one of the most beloved ballparks in the world, surrounded by family, friends, and fellow runners. It’s a celebration of endurance, community, and the power of giving back.” For Dave McGillivray,the Boston Marathon’s Senior Race Advisor, the event offers runners a chance to experience Fenway Park in an unforgettable way while supporting important community causes. … McGillivray will be a very busy man come April 20th when the 130th running of the Boston Marathon dissects the streets of Boston and the MetroWest ‘burbs.

ONE OF THE COOLEST EVENTS: The National Baseball Poetry Festival will return to Polar Park in nearby Worcester, on May 7-10. The event continues a growing New England tradition, celebrating the home plate that is baseball and storytelling. Ready to enjoy its fourth year, the festival continues to grow. In 2026 alone, adult poetry submissions have come from 42 states and 12 different countries and territories, reflecting the growing interest in baseball themed writing from students, poetry lovers, and baseball fans. Event organizers describe it as the first festival designed specifically to unite sports and the fine arts. Note that the festival’s youth poetry contest remains open for submissions through April 17, coinciding with National Poetry Month. The festival weekend itself brings together baseball fans, writers, educators, and community members for readings, workshops, pick-up and organized ballgames, and other events at beautiful Polar Park, home of the Worcester Red Sox.

Baseball Poetry in Motion

After earning his way to first base, a runner can make a mark,

He can take a lead-off the base, draw a pick-off attempt or two,

Maybe, he can distract the pitcher and extend his teammate’s at bat,

But careful he must be, as the catcher has a glove and a rocket,

He’ll fake to the mound, but throw a bullet right into your back pocket.”

PARTING WORDS & MUSIC: How about some music for the final round of The Masters Tournament?

While We’re Young (Ideas) is a weekly (every weekend) collection of Sports Notes and News written by Terry Lyons. The posting of each notebook harkens back to the days when you’d walk over to the city news stand on Saturday night around 10:00pm to pick-up a copy of the Sunday papers. Inside, just waiting, was a compilation of interesting sports notes, quotes and quips in a column that always sold a few newspapers. Wire Service reports are utilized within the column.

TL’s Sunday Sports Notes – Brought to you by Digital Sports Desk.

The post TL’s Sunday Sports Notes | On MVPs, Tanking & The Home Team Act appeared first on Digital Sports Desk.

BOSTON – Boston’s starting pitcher Sonny Gray pitched 6.1 innings of scoreless baseball and allowed only three hits while the Red Sox scored three runs in the third inning to spot him a 3-0 lead, early, en route to Boston’s 5-0 victory over the visiting Milwaukee Brewers. The win gave the Sox their first series win of 2026, after a paltry 2-8 start.

In the third, Boston loaded the bases, then scored on a base on balls earned by first baseman Willson Contreras. Rightfielder Bobby Abreu delivered an infield hit to score the second run and designated hitter Trevor Story hit a sacrifice fly ball to right, scoring reserve shortstop Andruw Monasterio as the Sox scored three runs but left three men on base.

Boston scored two insurance runs in the seventh inning and relief pitchers Greg Weissert, rookie Tyler Samaniego and Ryan Watson closed it out for Boston, now 4-8 on the year. The loss by Milwaukee dropped their record to 8-4.

Monasterio drew three walks on the day to go with two fly outs to right. Centerfielder Ceddanne Rafaela was 2-for-2 with a walk.

Gray (2-0) was credited with the win, while Brewers starter Shane Drohan (0-1) took the loss. There was no save. Gray threw 90 pitches on the day with 53 being strikes.

Rookie reliever Tyler Samaniego (1.0 IP, one walk, three strike-outs) made his MLB debut for the Red Sox. He pitched a hitless 8th inning, striking out three of his four batters faced. and joins Fred Wenz who on 6/4/68 vs. DET-G2 (1.0 IP, 2 BB, 3 SO) was the only other Red Sox relieverr ever to allow no runs in their debut and record three strike-outs in their first inning of work. The feat was witnessed by 28,660 fans at Fenway Park on a cool (43-degrees) but sunny afternoon.

The Brewers have an off day on Thursday and head home for a three-game set with the visiting Washington Nationals. Boston completed their six game home stand, going (3-3). They’ll have a travel day on Thursday and play three games at St. Louis before flying to Minnesota for another three-game set.

The post BoSox: Two Wins in a Row appeared first on Digital Sports Desk.