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Patriots to Sign Ezekiel Elliott

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FOXBORO – (Staff and Wire Service Report) -The New England Patriots are in agreement with free agent running back Ezekiel Elliott on a one-year deal, with NFL Network reporting the contract is worth up to $6 million.

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The two-time NFL rushing champion visited with the Patriots late last month and provides important depth behind starter Rhamondre Stevenson. Elliott referenced the Patriots in a Twitter post Monday.

Elliott, 28, was released by the Dallas Cowboys in a salary-cutting move in March.

The Ohio State product was slowed in the second half of last season by a knee injury and wasn’t fully healthy in 2021. He rushed for a career-low 876 yards and 3.9 yards per carry in 2022 while backup Tony Pollard emerged as a 1,000-yard rusher and big-play threat.

Elliott led the NFL in rushing in 2016 and 2018 and posted four 1,000-yard seasons with Dallas. The 2016 first-round pick (fourth overall) ranks third in Cowboys history in rushing yards (8,262) and rushing touchdowns (68) behind Hall of Famers Emmitt Smith and Tony Dorsett. He also has 305 catches for 2,336 yards and 12 scores in 103 games (102 starts).

The Patriots released running back James Robinson in June, and Ty Montgomery is nursing an undisclosed injury. Second-year running backs Pierre Strong and Kevin Harris are also on the depth chart.

–Field Level Media

Red Sox to Face E-Rod and Tigers

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BOSTON – (Staff and Wire Service Preview) – Detroit left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez is scheduled to pitch against his former team on Sunday when the visiting Tigers wrap up a three-game series against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Rodriguez, 30, made his major league debut with the Red Sox in 2015. He had a 64-39 record in 159 appearances (153 starts) over six seasons with Boston.

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Rodriguez (8-5, 2.75 ERA) signed a five-year, $77 million contract with the Tigers after the 2021 season but said he recalls his time with the Red Sox fondly.

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“I have a lot of good memories here, and it feels good to be back here,” Rodriguez said before Boston opened the series with a 5-2 victory on Friday night.

Rodriguez didn’t pitch in June because of an injury to his left index finger, but he tossed seven scoreless innings on Tuesday to help Detroit beat Minnesota 6-0. Earlier this month, he invoked the no-trade clause in his contract to keep him from being dealt to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Rodriguez has made 17 starts for the Tigers this season. Opposing batters are hitting .218 with a .594 on-base-plus-slugging percentage against him. He’s 4-1 with a 3.63 ERA in his last seven starts.

Sunday will mark Rodriguez’s second career start against Boston. He allowed seven runs — just two earned — in 3 2/3 innings versus the Red Sox on April 13, 2022.

Kutter Crawford (5-6, 3.80) will pitch for Boston. Crawford took the loss when Kansas City beat the Red Sox 9-3 on Tuesday. He gave up three runs on seven hits in 3 1/3 innings. He is 1-0 with a 6.75 ERA in two career appearances (one start) against Detroit. He has allowed four runs on eight hits in 5 1/3 innings against the Tigers.

Detroit hit four solo home runs atop the Green Monster in Saturday’s 6-2 triumph over Boston. Kerry Carpenter hit two of them and has three in the series.

“Any time I’m going well, I’m using the opposite field,” the lefty-hitting Carpenter said. “In this ballpark (Fenway Park), it’s easier to hit them out to left here. Anything they throw hard I want to hit that way.”

The Red Sox were 0-for-11 with runners in scoring position on Saturday and saw their three-game winning streak come to an end.

Garrett Whitlock is expected to return from the injured list on Sunday and be available out of the Red Sox bullpen. The right-hander pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings in a rehab assignment for Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday.

Whitlock has been on the injured list since July 4 because of an elbow bone bruise. Whitlock has made 10 appearances, all starts, for the Red Sox this season, but Boston manager Alex Cora said earlier this week that Whitlock is returning as a reliever.

“He wanted to come back as soon as possible,” Cora said. “This is the best way. We’ll stretch him out. He’s gonna go two, three innings. It was more about his willingness to get ready and help us as soon as possible.”

Cora said there is a good chance third baseman Rafael Devers will have Sunday off. The lefty-hitting Devers leads the Red Sox with 26 home runs but will not play because Cora envisions loading his lineup with right-handed batters against Rodriguez.

“Have a good day (Sunday), win the series and move on,” Cora said.

–Field Level Media

NBA Finals Rivals Enter Hall Together

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SPRINGFIELD –  (Staff and Wire Service Report) – After going head-to-head in the NBA Finals in 2006 and 2011, Dwyane Wade and Dirk Nowitzki found themselves on the same side for once on Saturday night.

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Wade and Nowitzki were among those enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass., part of a loaded 2023 class that featured a total of 12 new inductees.

Wade led the Heat to a title in 2006, being named Finals MVP after averaging 34.7 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists as Miami toppled the Mavericks in six games.

Dallas got its revenge five years later, though, beating the Heat in six games for its only championship in franchise history. This time it was Nowitzki’s turn to secure Finals MVP honors, as he went for 26.0 points, 9.7 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game.

Twelve years removed from their latest clash on the NBA’s biggest stage, the two have gotten to know each other as people as opposed to competitors.

“For Dirk and me, it’s been therapy,” Wade said about his post-career journey with Nowitzki and some of the other inductees. “Who would have thought that we would be on the same team after all of our battles, but here we are, and it’s one of the greatest teams I’ve ever been on.”

Wade, 41, went on to win two more titles by the time his 16-year NBA career was all said and done. He was a 13-time All-Star and posted career averages of 22.0 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.4 assists, spending most of his time with Miami, where he spent 15 seasons.

After coming up short in the Finals in 2006, Nowitzki, 45, was named league MVP following the 2006-07 campaign. A 14-time All-Star, Nowitzki was a beacon of loyalty for over two decades, spending his entire 21-year career with the Mavericks. He averaged 20.7 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists across 1,522 games (1,460 starts).

If Wade and Nowitzki weren’t battling each other, they were often trying to fend off the Spurs. San Antonio was well-represented on Saturday night, as guard Tony Parker and longtime coach Gregg Popovich were also part of the Class of 2023.

Parker, 41, won four titles during his 17 seasons with the Spurs. Popovich, 74, was at the helm for all four of those championships, plus a fifth in 1999. Next season will be his 29th as San Antonio’s coach, and he heads into it with 1,366 regular-season wins along with 170 in the playoffs.

One of Popovich’s disciples, Becky Hammon, was also inducted to the Hall of Fame on Saturday. Following a successful playing career in the WNBA and overseas, the 46-year-old Hammon worked as an assistant on the Spurs’ staff from 2014-22. She is now head coach of the Las Vegas Aces, who currently own the best record in the WNBA at 26-3.

In her first season as coach of the Aces, Hammon led Las Vegas to its first title in franchise history.

“You’re a man of principle and excellence,” Hammon said to Popovich. “I know you weren’t trying to be courageous when you hired me, but you did do something nobody else in professional sports has ever done.

Carpenter Nails Red Sox

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BOSTON – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Detroit’s Kerry Carpenter hit two solo home runs to help propel the visiting Tigers to a 6-2 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Saturday.

The Tigers clubbed four homers for the game.

Carpenter opened the scoring by belting a solo home run against Red Sox starter Brayan Bello to lead off the second inning. He followed with his 15th home run of the season in the eighth against Kyle Barraclough. Carpenter also homered on Friday night.

Eric Haase and Spencer Torkelson also hit solo home runs for the Tigers.

Haase stretched Detroit’s lead to 3-1 when he homered to left-center in the fifth. It was his fourth home run of the season and also came against Bello, who was pulled with two outs in the fifth.

Torkelson’s home run, his 18th, came in the sixth against Brennan Bernardino and extended Detroit’s lead to 5-1. Torkelson finished 4-for-4.Justin Turner hit his 18th home run, a solo shot in the eighth inning, for the Red Sox.

Matt Manning (4-4) pitched 5 1/3 innings to earn the win. He surrendered a run on two hits. Jason Foley tossed 1 2/3 innings of scoreless relief to secure his fifth save.

Bello (8-7) allowed four runs on nine hits, struck out five and didn’t walk a batter.

After Carpenter’s home run handed the Tigers a 1-0 lead, Detroit added to that lead in the third. Nick Maton singled, took second on Akil Baddoo’s single and made it a 2-0 game when he scored on Riley Greene’s single.

Boston cut its deficit in half in the fourth when Turner scored on an error by Maton at third base, but Detroit added two runs in the top of the fifth. After Haase homered, Baddoo made it 4-1 by scoring from third on a fielder’s choice.

Torkelson’s home run gave the Tigers a four-run lead, and Carpenter’s second home run of the game put The Tigers up 6-1. Turner’s homer capped the scoring.

–Field Level Media

For Boston, For Sale

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BOSTON – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Oft-injured Boston starting pitcher Chris Sale went to work in a major league game for the first time in more than two months and Triston Casas hit a three-run home run to help the Boston Red Sox stretch their winning streak to three games by beating the visiting Detroit Tigers 5-2 Friday night.

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Casas put Boston in front 4-0 when he hit his 19th homer of the season in the fourth inning. It was the first home run Detroit’s Tarik Skubal has allowed this season.

Sale, who last appeared in a game June 1, retired the first 14 batters he faced. He spent more than two months on the injured list with shoulder inflammation, but was activated off the 60-day IL Friday night.

Sale allowed two runs on one hit, struck out seven and didn’t walk a batter in 4 2/3 innings. Kerry Carpenter‘s solo home run in the fifth is the only hit Sale allowed. It was Carpenter’s 13th home run of the season.

Sale threw 58 pitches, 42 of which were strikes.

Kyle Barraclough (1-0) collected the win for pitching 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief. Chris Murphy didn’t allow a hit or a run in the final three innings to earn the first save of his career.

Skubal (2-2) was pulled with one out in the sixth after he gave up five runs (four earned) on seven hits. Skubal struck out three and walked two.

Boston took a 1-0 lead by scoring an unearned run in the first. Rob Refsnyder reached on a throwing error, took third on Rafael Devers’ single and scored on a fielder’s choice.

After Casas homered to make it 4-0, Detroit scored twice in the fifth. Carpenter’s home run put the Tigers on the scoreboard, and then Riley Greene’s single drove in Javier Baez to make it 4-2.

The Red Sox increased their lead to 5-2 when Connor Wong’s two-out single drove in Trevor Story in the sixth.

The loss ended Detroit’s three-game winning streak.

–Field Level Media

 

KC Powers Way to Win Over Sox

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Story Hitless in Return

BOSTON – Drew Waters, MJ Melendez and Michael Massey each hit a two-run home run on Tuesday to help the visiting Kansas City Royals end a three-game losing streak by beating the Boston Red Sox 9-3 in the second game of a four-game series.

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The Royals collected 15 hits and six stolen bases in the victory.

Kansas City’s Brady Singer (8-8) earned the win after allowing three runs on five hits in 6 2/3 innings. He recorded four strikeouts and two walks.

Trevor Story, who had offseason surgery on his throwing elbow, made his season debut for Boston after spending 13 games in the minors on a rehabilitation assignment. Story was hitless in four at-bats and struck out three times.

Boston starter Kutter Crawford (5-6) was pulled with one out in the fourth. He allowed three runs on seven hits, walked two and struck out six.

The Royals opened the scoring in the second inning, when Matt Beaty doubled, took third on a Waters single and scored on Kyle Isbel’s sacrifice fly.

After Waters (3-for-5) hit his seventh home run of the season to increase Kansas City’s lead to 3-0 in the fourth, Boston cut its deficit to 3-2 by scoring twice in the fifth. Adam Duvall hit his 10th home run to make it 3-1 before Alex Verdugo doubled, took third on a groundout and scored on Connor Wong’s single.

The Royals took control with a three-run sixth. Maikel Garcia walked, stole second, moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on a groundout to make it 4-2, and then Melendez hit his 10th home run to stretch the lead to 6-2.

Kansas City added three more runs in the seventh. Isbel’s double drove in Waters to put the Royals up 7-2 before Massey’s 10th home run increased the lead to 9-2.

The Red Sox completed the scoring in the bottom of the seventh when Jarren Duran’s double drove in Verdugo.

–Field Level Media

Red Sox Slam KC Royals in Ninth

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BOSTON – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Boston’s Pablo Reyes hit a grand slam against Carlos Hernandez with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning to lift the host Red Sox to a 6-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Monday in the opener of a four-game series.

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It was the first home run of the season for Reyes, who collected three hits and scored three times in the win. Boston had lost four straight games and seven of its last eight.

The home run came minutes after Kansas City manager Matt Quatraro was ejected for arguing a ball-four call when Luis Urias was at the plate. The walk loaded the bases for Reyes. Rafael Devers and Triston Casas also scored on the home run.

Hernandez (1-7) entered the game in the ninth inning.

Kenley Jansen (3-5) pitched a scoreless top of the ninth to earn the win. He struck out two.

Boston starting pitcher Brayan Bello allowed a run on six hits in 6 2/3 innings. He walked two and struck out two. Bello has pitched at least six innings in 10 of his last 11 starts.

Kansas City starter Cole Ragans also went 6 2/3 innings. He gave up two runs (one earned) on four hits, walked one and struck out a career-high 11.

Designated hitter MJ Melendez had three hits for the Royals.

Masataka Yoshida’s sacrifice fly in the third inning scored Reyes with the game’s first run.

Boston doubled its lead in the fifth on back-to-back doubles by Reyes and Connor Wong.

The Royals tied the game with three consecutive hits after there were two outs in the seventh. Kyle Isbel doubled and scored on Maikel Garcia’s single, and then Bobby Witt Jr. made it a 2-2 game when he drove in Garcia with a double. Garcia’s single extended his hitting streak to 11 games.

–Field Level Media

U.S.A. Women Out of World Cup

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MELBOURNE – (Wire Service Report) – Sweden’s Lina Hurtig scored in the seventh round of penalties after a scoreless 120 minutes to lift Sweden past the United States in a knockout round match at the Women’s World Cup on Sunday in Australia.

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In the top of the seventh round, Kelly O’Hara chipped the ball off the right post and Hurtig then scored despite goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher getting a touch on the ball. The play was reviewed to make sure the ball crossed the line, and it did by less than an inch.

Third-ranked Sweden, which won the penalties 5-4, plays Japan in the quarterfinal on Friday in Auckland, New Zealand.

The United States, which was ranked No. 1 in the world, had reached the semifinals in the previous eight World Cups, never finishing lower than third place. The Americans were bidding for an unprecedented third straight title, a feat no men’s or women’s team has done before.

The player of the match was Swedish goalkeeper Zecira Musovic, who made 11 saves on the 22 American shots. Sweden had nine shots, only one on target.

Musovic kept the match scoreless in regulation with two great second-half saves, including a diving stop to her right on an Alex Morgan header in the 89th minute.

In the 53rd minute, Musovic made a reactionary save with her left hand to deny Lindsey Horan’s shot that was targeted for the lower right corner.

Musovic made stops on Morgan and Lynn Williams in the first 10 minutes of extra time.

The lone save for Naeher was in the 85th minute on a 10-yard shot by Sofia Jakobsson.

The U.S. was dominant everywhere but the scoreboard in the first half. The Americans had 62 percent of possession (82 percent the final 15 minutes) which led to five shots, two on target, compared to one off-target try for Sweden.

Trinity Rodman was dynamic on the right side, forcing saves by Musovic in the 18th and 27th minutes but the best chance for either team came in the 34th when Horan’s header from an Andi Sullivan corner kick skimmed the top of the bar.

— Field Level Media

TL’s Sunday Sports Notes | August 6

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By TERRY LYONS 

BOSTON – The countdown clock is on for the NFL Preseason to begin for all 32 teams. The Hall of Fame game (Cleveland Browns 21, vs New York Jets, 16) is in the books, and the end of week of August 10-13th will soon be upon us.

With that fact and the 2023 NFL season to begin Thursday, September 7th and the regular season to begin in earnest September 10th, the all-out marketing blitz of advertising for the NFL Sunday Ticket (now available exclusively on Youtube TV) and for online Gambling on the NFL, via the likes of Draft Kings, Bet MGM, Fan Duel and WynnBet MA (all new here in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts) will fill the coffers for broadcast and media outlets.

The ads will overwhelm sports TV viewers, especially those tuning in to late season MLB and PGA Tour broadcasts, never mind the beginning of College Football. (Boston College opens Saturday, September 2nd vs Northern Illinois).

OPENING NFC WIN TOTALS/ODDS: Are you ready for some football? Not yet? Here are some NFC Conference franchise win totals for the 2023 season. You decide, is it Over or Under?

  • Arizona Cardinals Over 5.5 (+105) Under 5.5 (-125)
  • Atlanta Falcons Over 7.5 (-115) Under 7.5 (-105)
  • Carolina Panthers Over 7.5 (-110) Under 7.5 (-110)
  • Chicago Bears Over 7.5 (-115) Under 7.5 (-105)
  • Dallas Cowboys Over 9.5 (-120) Under 9.5 (+100)
  • Detroit Lions Over 9 (-150) Under 9 (+125)
  • Green Bay Packers Over 7.5 (+115) Under 7.5 (-135)
  • Los Angeles Rams Over 7.5 (-125) Under 7.5 (+105)
  • Minnesota Vikings Over 8.5 (-115) Under 8.5 (-105)
  • New Orleans Saints Over 9.5 (+110) Under 9.5 (-130)
  • New York Giants Over 8.5 (+110) Under 8.5 (-130)
  • Philadelphia Eagles Over 10.5 (-130) Under 10.5 (+110)
  • San Francisco 49ers Over 11.5 (+105) Under 11.5 (-125)
  • Seattle Seahawks Over 8.5 (-125) Under 8.5 (+105)
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers Over 6.5 (-115) Under 6.5 (-105)
  • Washington Commanders Over 7.5 (+115) Under 7.5 (-135)

HERE NOW, THE NOTES: When we last left the USA men’s national team at the FIBA Worlds, it was September 14, 2019 and the United States team was victorious in its 7th Place qualification round game over Poland. Yes, SEVENTH PLACE or one slot better than the SIXTH PLACE finish USA Basketball suffered in 2002 on the hometown soil of Indianapolis. Yes, that 2002 finish was three slots below USA Basketball and Coach Mike Krzyzewski’s outing in Japan in 2006 when the USA world team lost to Greece but managed a win against Argentina to take the bronze medal.

In between (2010 and 2014), the USA Basketball senior national team played tremendous basketball and won the two world tournaments, first in Turkey and then in Spain.

This year, it’s on to Manila (The Philippines) to compete in another 32-team extravaganza. The US has begun training, hitting the hardwood in its usual training camp hometown of Las Vegas, Nevada where the temperatures are higher than the game scores.

There will be a friendly (vs. Puerto Rico) on Monday (August 7) in Vegas before the team heads for Malaga, Spain for friendlies vs. Slovenia (August 12) and Spain (August 13) before a stop in Abu Dhabi for games against Greece (August 18) and Germany (August 20).

On Friday, USA Basketball cut a deal with FOX Sports to televise all the “USA Showcase” games. Check HERE.

LISTS and LISTS: Which of the USA Basketball (Olympics and World teams) are the best of the best? Let’s look at one insider’s list:

  1. 1992 – Dream Team – Barcelona
  2. 2008 – Olympic Team – Beijing
  3. 1960 – Olympic Team – Rome
  4. 1956 – Olympic Team – Melbourne
  5. 1996 – Olympic Team – Atlanta
  6. 1994 – Worlds Team – Toronto
  7. 2012 – Olympic Team – London
  8. 2016 – Olympic Team – Rio
  9. 2010 – Worlds Team – Spain
  10. 2014 – Worlds Team – Turkey

DOC, SHAQ – MORE LISTS: Shaquille O’Neal was recently asked about a Top 10 list of Greatest NBA Players submitted by Julius “Dr. J” Erving. O’Neal believes Erving is entitled to his opinion being that he helped pave the way for the players of today. The Big Aristotle was fine with the fact “The Doctor” did not list any active NBA players, thus leaving the likes of Lebron James and Steph Curry as players to be named later, maybe by others.

Let’s start with Julius Erving’s list (he stressed it is not in any particular order):

  • Jerry West
  • Oscar Robertson
  • Elgin Baylor
  • Wilt Chamberlain
  • Bill Russell
  • Michael Jordan
  • Kareem Adbul-Jabbar
  • Karl Malone
  • Magic Johnson
  • Nate “Tiny” Archibald

Shaq’s Top 10 (again, claimed as in no order):

  • Magic Johnson
  • Kobe Bryant
  • Michael Jordan
  • LeBron James
  • Then [expletive] me!

“That ain’t no disrespect to Malone, [Charles] Barkley and Kareem,” O’Neal said. “Hey, that’s my list. Understand what I’m saying? … as he went for the second group.

  •  Steph Curry
  • Allen Iverson
  • Tim Duncan
  • Malone (he didn’t specify Karl or Moses, but was probably thinking Karl).
  • Isiah Thomas
  • Then, he paused and noted Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had to be listed, too, making it a Top 11.

This columnist vividly remembers the morning the NBA at 50 were to be honored at the 1997 NBA All-Star Weekend in Cleveland. A photo of the honorees – all decked out in their special, one-of-a-kind Mitchell & Nessjackets – was presented to Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and Erving for their signatures during an all-out, closed-door frenzy of autograph seeking led by the legends themselves.

The great Doctor signed and glanced at the other names alongside his, asking “would you like me to ask Kareem (Abdul-Jabbar) to sign this, too?”

“No, no thanks,” was the reply. “You, Larry and Magic are my guys. You were the best to work with during my career, and you were always there for the NBA, no matter what we asked of you. You are my guys.”

“What about Kareem, he’s the best player,” noted Doc.

“No, it’s okay. Just three.”

The TL Top 10? (In order)

  1. Bill Russell
  2. Michael Jordan
  3. Wilt Chamberlain
  4. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
  5. Magic Johnson
  6. LeBron James
  7. Oscar Robertson
  8. Larry Bird
  9. Elgin Baylor
  10. Kobe Bryant

Apologies to: Jerry West, Julius “Dr. J” Erving, Karl Malone, Walt “Clyde” Frazier, Shaq, Hakeem Olajuwon, John Havlicek, Moses Malone, Scottie Pippen, among others.

Apologies for possibly shaking up prior/personal Top 10 lists. Like any rock and roll lists, one must reserve the right to change mind, and thus the list every 24 hours.

NLL: The Sunday Notes column is always sharing some keen insights to what makes us tick, one being the fact indoor “box” lacrosse is a favorite sport. Of course, the outdoor game is great, as well, and I miss watching both the college and professional versions of the game (Boston Cannons or Long Island Lizards).

Here are some of the key dates for the NLL this Fall:

  • Sept. 15: NLL Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Burlington, Ontario*
  • Sept. 16: NLL Draft in Oakville, Ontario
  • Oct. 28-29: NLL Training Camps officially open
  • Dec. 1-2: 2023-24 NLL Face-off Weekend

*The NLL will induct 10 new members into the NLL Hall of Fame on September 15. Among the honorees are eight former players and two referees to be enshrined under the Builders category.

TIDBITS: What does former Kentucky coach Tubby Smith – the head coach of the 1998 national champions – think?

“We had over 800 Division I players transfer last year.

“Over 800.

“C’mon.

“Teaching ’em how to quit. That’s what we’re doing. Things not going well? Let’s quit.

“I remember calling my dad when I was a freshman. High Point College. “Dad, people not treating me… this and that… I’m unhappy here.’ There wasn’t but two blacks in the whole school. My Dad, he said, ‘Son, somebody do something to you?’ No. ‘You’re still getting your scholarship aren’t you? They’re still feeding you? They’re still housing you? You’re still getting your education?’ I said, ‘Yes, sir.’ He said, ‘You can’t come home. Your bed’s been taken… But you can join the Army.’ Best thing he ever said to me.”

While We’re Young (Ideas) is a weekly Sunday Sports Notebook and sports news column 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 10pm to pick-up a copy of the Sunday papers. Inside, just waiting, was a sports-filled compilation of interesting notes, quotes and quips.

TL’s Sunday Sports Notes is brought to you by Digital Sports Desk.

TL

Cora Boiling-Over After Verdugo Scratch

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BOSTON – (Staff and Wire Service Report by Field Level Media) – The Boston Red Sox will try to put a bad day behind them and salvage the finale of a three-game series with the visiting Toronto Blue Jays this afternoon.

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Boston’s bad day started when outfielder Alex Verdugo was scratched from the lineup with no explanation. Neither Red Sox manager Alex Cora nor Verdugo, who never got into the game, commented on the reason.

The day ended when Reese McGuire, who had singled as a pinch hitter, was doubled off second base after a flyout to the wall in left-center field to cut a ninth-inning rally short in the Blue Jays’ 5-4 victory.

“This is probably one of my worst days here in this organization,” Cora said after the game.

He said that Verdugo’s benching was a “manager’s decision.”

“I’m just taking care of the 26 guys (on the roster), and he wasn’t gonna play,” Cora said.

Cora has benched Verdugo for a lack of hustle in the past.

“That was a different situation,” Cora said. “I think (Saturday), we took a step back as a team. We have to make sure everybody’s available every single day here for us to get to wherever we’re going to go. And that wasn’t the case. And as a manager, I’ve got to take charge of this, and I decided he wasn’t going to play.”

“Just a manager’s decision,” Verdugo said. “We’re gonna leave it at that.”

When asked if he arrived to Fenway Park on time on Saturday, Verdugo said he did.

The Red Sox won the first seven meetings with the Blue Jays this season and now have lost two straight to a team they are chasing for an American League wild-card spot.

Toronto is scheduled to start right-hander Chris Bassitt (10-6, 4.00 ERA) on Sunday. Bassitt has faced the Red Sox once in his career, in 2021, when he allowed two runs and three hits with 10 strikeouts in seven innings.

The Red Sox are expected to start left-hander Brennan Bernardino (1-1, 2.72). Bernardino, who will be making his sixth start of the season, is 0-1 with a 4.91 ERA in four relief appearances against Toronto in his career.

McGuire’s baserunning mistake allowed Erik Swanson to earn his fourth save.