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Gray Gets the Job Done for Sox

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ANAHEIM – (Wire Service Report) – Boston’s Sonny Gray allowed a run and four hits in six innings and Willson Contreras and Romy Gonzalez hit home runs as the Red Sox routed the Los Angeles Angels 8-1 on Saturday night in California.

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Wilyer Abreu added two RBIs and scored two runs for the Red Sox, who have won the first two games of the series.

Josh Lowe homered for the Angels, who lost their fifth in a row.

Gray (10-1, 2.61 ERA) walked two and struck out seven. Neither he nor Contreras (19 HR, 56 RBI, .285 batting average, .914 OPS) were among the All-Star Game participants announced earlier in the day.

Los Angeles starter Sam Aldegheri (3-4) gave up three runs and one hit in four innings with four walks and two strikeouts.

Contreras’ three-run homer in the first inning gave Boston a 3-0 lead.

He belted Aldegheri’s 2-1 changeup an estimated 421 feet into the left field stands. Anthony Seigler and Abreu, who had both walked, scored ahead of Contreras.

Lowe’s solo homer in the second put the Angels on the board and made it 3-1. He drove Gray’s first-pitch cutter high over the center field fence an estimated 437 feet. It was Lowe’s seventh homer of the season.

Los Angeles had runners on first and second with one out later in the inning, but Gray struck out Donovan Walton and Tyler Heineman.

Boston put the game out of reach with four runs in the fifth for a 7-1 lead. Abreu hit a two-run double and Gonzalez lofted a two-run homer just inside the foul pole in left for his first home run.

All four runs came off of reliever Samy Natera Jr.

Ceddanne Rafaela doubled in a run in the eighth for the final margin.

Relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman and starter Ranger Suarez were selected for the All-Star Game for Boston and Los Angeles outfielder Mike Trout, who is on the injured list with a hamstring injury, was picked as a starter for the game in Philadelphia on July 14.

–Field Level Media

The NEXT Best Player in Baseball

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By TERRY LYONS, Editor-in-Chief

BOSTON – He’s the only player in the Majors with 20+ home runs and 10+ stolen bases. He ranks first in runs scored, and first in the National League in base-on-balls drawn. He’s first among NL outfielders in extra base hits which ranks second in the entire NL. He’s tops amongst NL outfielders in home runs, and tied for third amongst the National League home run leaders (Matt Olson). The stats and the rankings continue right through On Base Percentage, total bases, OPS (On base + Slugging).

James Wood is the best player no one has heard much about.

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He made the NL All-Star team, he robs opponents of home runs with his 6-foot-6 frame and lengthy reach. He’s even hit an inside-the-park Grand Slam (May 19 vs. New York Mets).

Wood was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the second round of the 2021 amateur draft but later traded to Washington as part of a massive deal that sent Juan Soto to Southern California. Wood’s Nationals teammate in shortstop C.J. Abrams was part of the same deal and they’re both destined for many an All-Star Game appearance.

Wood is 23 years old. Abrams is 25.

On Monday night, just as the folks at Fenway Park were settling in for a gorgeous summer night, Wood stepped up to face Red Sox starter Ranger Suarez – left handed batter vs. left handed pitcher. The second pitch of the game landed 441 feet away from home plate. Gone.

That is the power of Washington’s young lead-off hitter. It was his ninth lead-off homer of his career and the sixth of the 2026 season. The blast was his 61st major league home run, 31 in 2025 and 21 this season (and counting).

Wood played in 157 of 162 regular season games in 2025. As of Monday, he played in every single one of Washington’s 86 games, reaching base safely in 34 of his last 42 games. His No. 1 ranking in runs scored means he’s crossed the plate 73 times and it’s not even the 4th of July.

To say Wood is the best player in baseball is a tough statement to make, considering the Ohtani, Judge, Schwarber trifecta, and a host of other talented veteran players. But to say he’s the best young, 23-year old player in baseball might be the way to go.

Wood grew up in Richmond, Virginia, the son of a talented University of Richmond basketball star in his father, Kenny. Wood’s 6-foot-8 uncle, Howard, grew up in East Hampton, Long Island and went on to play basketball for the University of Tennessee and then with the NBA’s Utah Jazz but played only 48 games as a pro. Suffice to say, the athleticism is there and the 6-foot-6 frame provides the younger Wood with some serious base-running, defense and torque producing swings which can send baseballs into space.

After zipping through the minors, Wood is now in his third season in the big leagues.

He’ll surely be representing the Nationals when the All-Star Game celebrates America’s 250th in Philadelphia in mid-July.

His next goal will be to play Major League Baseball in October. But, with Boston shelling Nationals starter Miles Mikolas in the first inning Monday night, then adding insurance in the second and third frames, Woods’ Nats are playing only .500 ball (43-43). Mikolas pitched seven innings, allowed nine hits, six earned runs, and two home runs in defeat.

Boston’s starter, Ranger Suarez, pitched six innings, allowing five hits and three runs, including the solo, lead-off HR to Woods.

The victory, a 6-3 breeze, was Boston’s fifth straight, their sixth of seven and eighth of the last 11 games.

The two clubs will play two additional games Tuesday and Wednesday before the Red Sox take an off day to fly to California to face the LA Angels.

The Nationals will enjoy an off day on July 2, then head home to play a nine game homestand surrounding the 4th of July festivities and concluding with the MLB All-Star break – July 13-16.

TL’s Sunday Sports Notes | June 28

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By TERRY LYONS, Editor of PGA Tour Brunch & Digital Sports Desk

CROMWELL (Conn) – After prepping at Hamden Hall Day School and playing the very best golf courses at every chance, Ben James decided to attend the University of Virginia to play golf. James grew up in Milford, Connecticut, developing his game at Great River Golf Club, where his grandfather, Donald James Sr., worked part-time after retirement and his father, Donald James Jr., played in his youth.

They might’ve dreamt of great things to come for Ben, but little did they know just how far those dreams would take their grandson/son.

James played four seasons at Virginia (2022-26), where he earned seven individual victories, tying Ben Kohles‘ school record for career wins and one of his victories included the 2024 Valero Texas Collegiate, which earned him an exemption for the 2025 Valero Texas Open on the PGA TOUR.

One outing and one experience after another, led James to the next level.

James became only the fifth collegiate golfer in history to earn four All-America First Team honors, following Gary Hallberg (1977-80 at Wake Forest University), Phil Mickelson (1989-92 at Arizona State University), David Duval (1990-93 at Georgia Tech), and Bryce Molder (1998-2001 at Georgia Tech).

James earned his PGA TOUR membership as the No. 1 player from the 2026 PGA TOUR University Ranking after those four amazing seasons four seasons in Charlottesville. Now, there’s no turning back.

Actually, this wonderful tournament at the TPC River Highlands, just south of Hartford, was James’ first rodeo. He made his PGA TOUR debut as a sponsor exemption at the 2022 Travelers Championship, playing in a field which also featured Chris Gotterup, Cole Hammer, and Michael Thorbjornsen as a few other sponsor exemptions. James was keeping good company, all along.

When James teed-off at the Travelers Championship on Thursday, he had $204,170 in winnings to his name and a 4-for-11 record in making the cut at his events on Tour. Home course advantage would help him get a good – but not great – start.

James’ bogey-free (64) on Friday placed him in a tie for 14th place amongst a crowded and star-studded leaderboard, but for a PGA Tour signature event, he’s in good shape for this weekend.

Maybe today, on Sunday, the hometown crowds from Milford to Cromwell, Connecticut will spur-on their proud Hamden Hall and Virginia Cavalier product to his best finish as a professional at the ripe age of 23..

a close up of a soccer ball on a field
Photo by My Profit Tutor on Unsplash

HERE NOW, THE NOTES: When the FIFA World Cup draw and then full schedule was announced long ago, every soccer fan in New England circled the Friday afternoon, June 26 match featuring Norway and France. Norway boasts the best player in the world in Erling Haaland and he was named as a substitute only hours before gametime. Both France and Norway had secured placed in the Knockout Round so the national team coaches decided to sit their best players for rest or to protect them from possible yellow card or red card suspensions. The ultimate in load management. … Fans had plunked down $2,500 per seat. Even at game time, after the announcement of load management, “get-in” upper deck seats were over $1,000.

It looks like boxing champ Oleksandr Usyk watched Michael Jordan’s “Last Dance” tv documentary. Usyk, the unified heavyweight champion, announced that he is vacating his WBA, IBF and WBC heavyweight titles, but he is not retiring. In a social media post, he wrote that he has one “Last Dance” before he bags it. The boxer is 39 years old and defeated a kick boxer in his last match (25-0, 16 KOs).

TIDBITS & NUGGETS: Kenny Klein was an accomplished and respected member of the College Sports Information community, mostly for his four+ decades at the University of Louisville and recently for his second-career pitch-in to help former Louisville basketball coach, now head coach of St. John’s, being Rick Pitino. Klein answered Pitino’s call for added help in Queens and it was answered. WWYI did not know Klein, sadly never met him, but have been reading column after column of love and pride for the man who was the ultimate “behind the scenes” guy. Klein passed away at the young age of 66, suddenly gone after having a terrible incident while dining at a Louisville restaurant. May God Bless him and may we all offer condolences to his dear friends (he has so many) and family. … To get some real insight from someone who knew him very well for most of the 40+ years via a column by Louisville’s Eric Crawford, click HERE.

USA Today Photos

PINK: Yes, Pink did a great job hosting the TONYs, but the pink being discussed here points to the vast number of players wearing pink cleats at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It’s being driven by competing sportswear brands independently using color forecasting to maximize product visibility and broadcast impact. While many fans initially assumed the bright footwear was tied to a “breast cancer awareness campaign,” this summer, it’s strictly a commercial marketing ploy. Even Google dedicated its home page of June 26th to the Pretty in Pink trend.

As the preliminary round of the FIFA World Cup comes to its conclusion, the event has made major in-roads to the American-Mexican-Canadian sports societies hosting the event(s). A job well done by the organizers and venue chiefs, even as ridiculous amounts of price-gouging take place. Ticket prices are keeping many an average fan away, and thus, the sport of football/Futbol/Soccer sees little to no growth of the casual sports fan. A recent ticket offer to the France vs Norway game (little meaning as both teams had secured their place in the Knock-out round) came with a price tag of $2,500 per seat. C’mon now?

Because of that fact, the MLS is not likely to see much of a bump when it comes to the ticket-buying public attending MLS games in the second half of their split season.

WILD WEST: Take a look at the run differential numbers for the National League West (as of games completed June 25).

  • Los Angeles Dodgers – (+144)
  • San Diego Padres – (-5)
  • Arizona Diamondbacks – (-20)
  • San Francisco Giants – (-54)
  • Colorado Rockies – (-90) – (and that was after they beat-up the Mets)

Only the New York Mets (-47) are in negative figures in the National League East

Only the Seattle Mariners (+4) are in positive figures in the AL West

No teams are in positive figures in the AL Central

YOU CAN’T MAKE IT UP: The promo reads: “Experience the raw intensity of bare-knuckle fighting up close with the ultimate Ringside Seat experience. This premium ticket puts you right in the action, complete with a selection of beer, wine, liquor, and assorted soft drinks. Skip the lines and enjoy a dedicated grab-and-go buffet featuring ballpark favorites like Fenway Franks, fresh lobster rolls, and sizzling Italian sausages. You’ll also take home an exclusive miniature replica BKFC championship belt to commemorate an unforgettable night. Don’t just attend the event—own it. Secure your Ringside experience today and witness every jaw-dropping moment in style.” … Yes, the people at Fenway Sports are bringing fans “Bare-knuckle fighting.” … How could we ever live without it? … The Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) will make its Massachusetts debut at Fenway Park on Saturday, August 29, marking the first time a sanctioned bare-knuckle fighting event has ever been held in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.. The matches will take place directly on the field, and will be headlined by BKFC Featherweight World Champion and #3 Ranked pound-for-pound fighter ‘King’ Kai Stewart (9-0) of Great Falls, Montana, who defends his world title for a record sixth time against New England combat sports standout Harry ‘The Hitman’ Gigliotti (6-0, 5 KOs) of Haverhill. Additional fights and details for this world class evening of bare-knuckle fighting will be announced in the coming weeks. … Bare Knuckle fighting claims to be the “fastest growing combat sport.” But, honestly, I can not think of any other “combat sport,” other than the recent hijinx of the WNBA. … Will the matches be the most physical confrontation related to the Sox since Pedro Martinez tossed coach Don Zimmer aside at Yankee Stadium? … You can make reservations for private suites. Or, you can purchase seats for either $51 or $157. I also know of a few places in Chicago or New York where you can get your ass kicked with bare knuckles for free.

IF THAT’S NOT ENOUGH: If you happen to be a restaurant/bar/tavern/saloon owner, you can pay $250 (per quarter, they say) to be an official Bare Knuckles Fighting home base. You really can’t make this up! … “BKFC will provide your establishment with items to give out during the fights. These items will range from pens and lanyards to posters and T-shirts. This arrangement will also give your establishment the authority to use BKFC-approved logos in your advertising.” … Apparently, the events are broadcast regularly on BKFC TV via FUBO streaming.

OR, ALL NEW MEANING TO THE TERM “KNUCKLE-HEADS” – How about a three-day cruise from Miami to Nassau, Bahamas aboard the BKFSea? Can you imagine the mayhem? It’s January 22-25, 2027. Before you book, you better ask if they’re carrying the CFP National Championship on TV on the night of Jan. 25th. Not all ships at sea have full broadcasting rights.

SKRATCH: Reporter Alan Shipnuck did a full expose by compiling all of Phil Mickelson’s misdeeds and adding some new dirt and information. The story is best read directly – HERE. … If you’re wondering about it, this is the final paragraph: “It’s a very sad story,” says Mickelson’s former golf buddy. “He should have been Arnold Palmer. Phil had the same charisma, the same star power. People loved him everywhere he went. My take is that he came to believe his own bullshit. He thought he was bulletproof, because his whole life he had always skated on everything. But, in the end, he had too many demons. He got consumed by his own darkness.” … Keep in mind, Tiger Woods held the World No. 1 ranking for 661 weeks, and in the midst of that run, Phil Mickelson held the No. 2 slot for 270 weeks. (Between 2001-2010+). Now, both players will have scandals in the second paragraphs of their death notices.

Could This Be Sox Turning Point?

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BOSTON – (Wire Service Report) – Boston rookie left-hander Jake Bennett allowed one run over 6 1/3 innings,  designated hitter Masataka Yoshida and rookie infielder Anthony Seigler each belted a solo home run and the host Boston Red Sox earned a 4-1 victory over the New York Yankees on Saturday afternoon. It was Seigler’s first homer of his career and proved to be the 25th Boston home run off New York Yankees starter Gerrit Cole since 2020, when Cole joined the Yanks.

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The first hit allowed by Bennett (2-3) came with two outs in the fifth inning, courtesy of a solo homer by Max Schuemann. Bennett yielded two more hits and struck out three batters before exiting to a standing ovation.

Yoshida launched a solo shot in the first inning and Seigler — a first-round pick of the Yankees in the 2018 MLB Draft — added his homer in the second.

Boston’s Willson Contreras ripped a two-run double in the third inning, one day after sparking a benches-clearing push-and-shove incident in a 6-1 win over New York on Friday night.

The early offense on Saturday powered the Red Sox to their third straight win to open the four-game series. The Yankees, in turn, have lost six of their last eight games.

Justin Slaten relieved Bennett and struck out Jose Caballero and Jazz Chisholm Jr. to end the seventh inning. Garrett Whitlock retired the side in order in the eighth and Aroldis Chapman got the final three outs in the ninth to secure his 16th save.

Boston bolted out of the blocks as Yoshida deposited the second pitch of the game from Gerrit Cole (2-3) over the wall in right-center field. The homer was the second of the season for Yoshida and first since May 24.

Seigler doubled the advantage in the second inning by sending a 3-1 fastball from Cole just over the Green Monster.

Yoshida and Ceddanne Rafaela each singled to center to lead off the third inning before both runners sprinted home on Contreras’ hard-hit smash to left-center field.

New York finally solved Bennett in the fifth, as Schuemann deposited a first-pitch sinker over the wall in center field.

Cole struggled in his second straight outing, permitting four runs on seven hits in 5 1/3 innings.

–Field Level Media

 

Connecticut’s James is On the Job

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By TERRY LYONS

CROMWELL (Conn) – After prepping at Hamden Hall Day School and playing the very best golf courses at every chance, Ben James decided to attend the University of Virginia to play golf. James grew up in Milford, Connecticut, developing his game at Great River Golf Club, where his grandfather, Donald James Sr., worked part-time after retirement and his father, Donald James Jr., played in his youth.

They might’ve dreamt of great things for Ben, but little did they know just how far those dreams would take their grandson/son.

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James played four seasons at Virginia (2022-26), where he earned seven individual victories, tying Ben Kohles‘ school record for career wins and one of his victories included the 2024 Valero Texas Collegiate, which earned him an exemption for the 2025 Valero Texas Open on the PGA TOUR.

One outing and one experience after another, led James to the next level.

James became only the fifth collegiate golfer in history to earn four All-America First Team honors, following Gary Hallberg (1977-80 at Wake Forest University), Phil Mickelson (1989-92 at Arizona State University), David Duval (1990-93 at Georgia Tech), and Bryce Molder (1998-2001 at Georgia Tech).

James earned his PGA TOUR membership as the No. 1 player from the 2026 PGA TOUR University Ranking after those four amazing seasons four seasons in Charlottesville. Now, there’s no turning back.

Actually, this wonderful tournament at the TPC River Highlands, just south of Hartford, was James’ first rodeo. He made his PGA TOUR debut as a sponsor exemption at the 2022 Travelers Championship, playing in a field which also featured Chris Gotterup, Cole Hammer, and Michael Thorbjornsen as a few other sponsor exemptions. James was keeping good company, all along.

When James teed-off at the Travelers Championship on Thursday, he had $204,170 in winnings and a 4-for-11 record in making the cut at his events on Tour. Home course advantage would help him get a good – but not great – start today.

James shot (-2) under (68) and was tied for 30th as the “big boys,” like Scottie Scheffler, Sam Burns and Tommy Fleetwood turned for home in the afternoon. Tournament defending champion, Keegan Bradley, was (-3) under after 16 holes. Gotterup was one-over as his round concluded.  TPC River Highlands was kind to the morning groups after a couple days of hard rain, but a heater rising to 83-degrees and gorgeous blue skies dried up the course quickly, and it played tougher as the clock struck military time of 14:00 hundred.

James went out in (32) as par read (35) and he was on the morning leaderboard and stirring interest in the local fan base, happily following his journey. The back nine was not so kind as the course firmed-up, and James shot (36) on the par (35) to finish with his (68) on the par 70 course. The three bogeys with two birdies dotted the back nine scorecard and two of those bogeys came on No. 17 and No. 18, sending young James to the lockers with a “what might’ve been” scorecard.

The early clubhouse leader was Eric Cole who posted a healthy (63), seven under par on a course which Bradley conquered last summer with a (-15) score.

Of course, this is the same golf course where Jim Furyk (2016) and Cameron Young (2024) carded the glorious, and often untouchable “59.” But, keep in mind, in 2024, Scottie Scheffler posted a (-22) to win the tournament and it took a playoff to defeat Tom Kim that year. Bradley won in 2023 with a (-23).

That means, there’s a lot of golf to be played. There’s a cut to be made for Ben James (T-15) and then, on Saturday, maybe the hometown crowds from Milford will spur their proud Hamden Hall and Virginia Cavalier on to – possibly – his best finish as a professional at the ripe age of 23.

 

 

Opposite Ends of the Standings

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BOSTON – (Wire Service Preview) – Teams at opposite ends of the American League East standings will meet tonight when the New York Yankees open a four-game series against the host Boston Red Sox. The division-leading Yankees enter the series on a two-game winning streak after a 4-2 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday. Paul Goldschmidt hit two solo home runs off Tarik Skubal, and Jasson Dominguez delivered a two-run shot in the sixth inning.

“Obviously (Skubal is) one of the best pitchers in the game and facing him is a tough challenge,” Goldschmidt said. “I just try to get in there and compete, and fortunately, I was able to get a couple balls I was able to get out of there.

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“We didn’t have many hits (six). We didn’t have much offense, but it was enough just because our pitching was so good. … This game is hard. Nights like this when you have success, enjoy it because there are a lot of games where we either lose or individually you have a bad game or there’s stretches of bad games.”

Ryan Weathers and three relievers scattered two runs and eight hits against the Tigers.

Boston, meanwhile, is at the bottom of the AL East and dropped 14 games below .500 with Wednesday’s 8-6 loss against the Colorado Rockies in Denver.

The Red Sox led 6-3 when shortstop Marcelo Mayer made an error on a routine grounder with two outs in the seventh inning. The Rockies scored three runs in the inning after the error to tie the game.

Mayer entered the contest when third baseman Caleb Durbin had to leave after injuring his left hand while sliding into first base. Boston made two errors in the loss, and five of Colorado’s eight runs were unearned.

“I mean today it was fairly clear, we didn’t play well enough defensively,” Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy said. “A lot of their run-scoring opportunities and run scores were a product of us. We have to take care of the ball.”

New York has won four of five games against the Red Sox this season, including a three-game sweep in Boston from April 21-23.

Left-hander Connelly Early (6-5, 3.64 ERA) is expected to start for Boston on tonight.

Early is 0-1 with a 5.06 ERA in his only regular-season start against the Yankees. He gave up three runs on five hits, walked three and struck out four in a 4-0 loss to New York on April 21.

Right-hander Cam Schlittler (8-3, 1.71 ERA) is New York’s probable starter. He’s 1-0 with a 1.32 ERA in two career regular-season starts against Boston.

Schlittler also earned the win when New York beat Boston 4-0 in Game 3 of the AL wild-card series last season. He struck out 12 in eight innings during that game. Early gave up all four New York runs in 3 2/3 innings and took the loss.

Tonight will mark the first of seven straight home games for the Red Sox, who are 12-25 at Fenway Park this year.

Boston infielder Romy Gonzalez has yet to play this season after having shoulder surgery in March but could be activated this weekend.

“I’m trying to push for Saturday to be activated,” Gonzalez said. “We’ll see what happens. Definitely, I want to be (there) Sunday with (New York’s Carlos) Rodon going Sunday. I want to be in the lineup.”

–Field Level Media

A.J. is the One

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BROOKLYN – (Wire Service Report) – The Washington Wizards opened the NBA draft on Tuesday night by selecting BYU forward AJ Dybantsa with the No. 1 overall pick. The Wizards tabbed Dybantsa over Kansas guard Darryn Peterson, who had a checkered college season at Kansas last season. The Utah Jazz then chose Peterson with the No. 2 overall pick. Dybantsa grew up in Brocton, Mass. and played high school ball at St. Sebastian’s School in Needham, Mass.

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The 6-foot-9 Dybantsa led the nation in scoring at 25.5 points per  game in his one college campaign and should be ready to make an immediate impact.

“This means a lot,” Dybantsa said on ESPN of going first in the draft. “It’s a stepping stone. Obviously, I have a lot more work to do.”

This is the third time Washington has held the No. 1 overall pick. The Wizards selected Kwame Brown in 2001 and John Wall in 2010.

Dybantsa is the first BYU player to go first overall.

–Field Level Media

TL’s Sunday Sports Notes | June 21

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By TERRY LYONS, Editor of Digital Sports Desk

BOSTON – Over the many years of WWYI and maybe a column or two on Digital Sports Desk, I’ve written a lot of different angles on Father’s Day. Some upbeat and noting fond memories, while others a bit sad.

It’s hard to write this, but when I think of Father’s Day, I think of my Dad very late in his life. He fell ill when I was very young (8th Grade), and passed away in the summer between my Freshman and Sophomore years at St. John’s. I looked at a picture just the other day, and instead of just seeing my Dad – as I did when I looked at the picture back in 1977 at my high school graduation – I looked at a relatively young man (60) appearing very old and fragile, barely able to walk past the Trinity baseball field and out another 100 yards to our football field – Jay Kutner Field. He did everything he could just to be there for me.

Of course, I think of a million happier and more meaningful thoughts. At the risk of repeating some things I might’ve written in the past, I’ll list a just a few things that pop into my mind:

  • My Dad pulling out colored (red and blue) markers from his work shirt pocket – complete with the plastic protector to not allow the ink to stain his white shirt – and drawing the red and blue lines of a hockey rink to properly teach the NHL ice hockey “off-sides” rules to me while watching Jim Godon and Bill “The Big Whistle” Chadwick call the New York Rangers games on WOR-TV-9. He also illustrated the more intricate “two-line pass” rule, using a black marker and dotted lines of the passes.
  • My Dad taking me to special Pan American World Airways functions when the New York Nets were sending players to ramp-up ticket sales. One function stands out as Ollie Taylor was the guest and took pictures with all of us (mine ended up in the Long Island Press) and the great Olympic swimmer, Donna deVerona, was being honored.
  • My Dad taking me to see “Patton” in the movie theatre near Salisbury Park (which eventually became Eisenhower Park).
  • Great “Pan Am” vacations in Montego Bay, Jamaica; St. Thomas (USVI); and Frankfurt, Germany. We always had to fly in a suit or sport jacket, hoping for an upgrade to First Class but also not to have to pack the bulky jackets. I still do it ‘til this day.
  • My Dad – somehow, someway – putting up with us (my brothers and entire neighborhood) playing Wiffel Ball on our front driveway. As we aged, those Wiffel Balls would sound like M-80s hitting our garage door on a foul back. (We only broke two or three windows, and actually purchased them in half-dozens to be sure we could replace any broken windows. We bought Wiffel Balls by the CASE!
  • My Dad taking me to dozens of Nets games at the Island Garden in the York Larese and Lavern Tart era.
  • Harlem Globetrotters at the Commack Arena
  • Long Island Ducks (minor league ice hockey) at Commack, too.

I could go on and on and on.

Anyway, for this Father’s Day, I thought I’d jot down some REALLY random but not very important in the grand scheme of life notes for my daughters to know. Some of the “trivial items in the key of life.”

  • As much as I admired Gregg Allman singing “Melissa,” my favorite ABB song is “Jessica,” an instrumental written by Dickie Betts with organ pieces by Gregg Allman, of course, double drums (former ABB, the late Butch Trucks; with Jaimoe), then an incredible piano solo by Check Leavell. As you’ll note from the clip below, Betts wrote the song with the influence of jazz legend Django Reinhardt but inspiration from his two-year old daughter, Jessica,” bouncing around the house. Here it is, in all its glory, being taught by Chuck Leavell himself.

My favorite motion pictures, in real order of preference, but I always reserve the right to change my mind, add and subtract shows, and I don’t include legendary motion pictures that EVERYONE lists and loves, such as The Godfather and Godfather II, Citizen Kane, Gone With the Wind, The Wizard of Oz or the great “action” movies in the James Bond or Mission Impossible category.

  1. Casablanca
  2. The Sting
  3. Almost Famous
  4. The Way We Were
  5. STAR WARS to The Return of the Jedi (old school)
  6. All the President’s Men
  7. The Purple Rose of Cairo
  8. Cinema Paradiso
  9. The Maltese Falcon
  10. The Big Chill

There are hundreds of “also rans” on my list, including a ton of great sports (Slap Shot), War Movies (Saving Private Ryan), Baseball Movies (It Happens Every Spring and the original Angeles in the Outfield) plus plenty more, like the silly set of “My Cousin Vinnie,” “STRIPES,” and “Airplane.”

KESWICK AMERICANS SPECIAL for FATHER’S DAY

By the way, here’s an extra bonus “Father’s Day Gift,” dedicated to all of those who wore the uniform of the Keswick Americans. This clip is from an ‘84 Dickie Betts concert, a few years after our heydays of 1978-79-80-81. Of course, Chuck Leavell is featured, but it is one of Betts’ best performances ever.

HERE NOW, THE NOTES: A few friends and former NBA colleagues pointed out that this year’s NBA Draft will mark 40 years since we lost Len Bias. For those who don’t know the Len Bias story, please clock HERE. For everyone else, Bias’ death marks a terrible tragedy when we know exactly where we were when we heard the terrible news. There were several points of anguish that late night/ear;y morning in June 1986, a few hours after we saw Bias at the Draft in New York, then watched as he met the media in Boston a couple hours after we said good-bye and good luck. The most serious place was with Bias’ family, especially his mother, Dr. Lonise Bias. Then, there was the shock of the Boston Celtics, and then the point of the most media attention and all out shock – was the crime scene on the campus of the University of Maryland at College Park. Lastly, was with us, the people of the NBA who had staged the draft and saw a young, vibrant, can’t miss talent shake hands with Commissioner David Stern and get his Celtics’ hat, conduct his press conferences then head off to Boston for a same day event. … Dr. Lonise Bias passed away a couple years back. She had to endure the death of two sons. … I can share this brief snippet: After a very late night at the 1986 NBA Draft and the proverbial “End of the Season gathering of sorts,” even though it was really the start of the new season, I got about four hours of sleep, sucked it up and went to the office at 645 Fifth Avenue to edit film shot at the Draft the night before. Upon entering the office at about 8:35am, (15th floor), our receptionist Rhea Williams said, “Thank God, someone’s here.” I had no idea what she was talking about but glanced at the “old fashioned” switchboard and every single line was lit or blinking. … I CAN NOT think of a day worse than that day and that covers over 25 years of fielding calls for the NBA. I’m sure it was even harder, more emotional and just terrible at U of Maryland. May God Bless Len and his family.

JUNGLELAND: “They’ll meet ‘neath that CITGO sign that brings this fair city light.” No! … They’re coming after the CITGO sign.

According to multiple media accounts, the iconic CITGO sign in Boston is moving, but only slightly. The sign will be moved 30 feet higher and 120 feet to the east on the roof of 660 Beacon St, which is being redeveloped. This will “restore and preserve the original viewshed corridor” for the sign, developers say. The project will be done in two phases over six months. The first was taking the sign apart, which included removing the letters and the logo.

TIDBITS & NUGGETS: A time out in any sporting event is often a horse of a different color. In some sports, the timeouts seem excessive. In the World Cup, they are infrequent, but this year there seems to be a new moniker for a timeout. Let’s look at the evolution of mandatory timeouts:

  1. An “automatic” timeout
  2. A “TV” timeout
  3. A media timeout
  4. A “hydration break”

Maybe all the leagues should change their stripes (rules) and everyone can call it a “hydration break?” Seems like it’s all for the benefit of over-heated players, on the edge of dehydration. Then, a miracle. A “hydration break” fixes everything.

A group of men in kilts marching down a street
Photo by Sebastian Pociecha on Unsplash

SCOTLAND YARD: Boston says “Thank-You” to our guests from Scotland. The cities of Boston (and Providence, RI) were graced with two World Cup preliminary round games played at “Boston Stadium,” a.k.a. Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. The Scottish fans made quite an impression. Last Sunday night, they organized and staged a parade of some 5,000 fans who marched to Fenway Park. The parade was led by bagpipers and Scottish flags, and a massive group who carried tunes with the best of ‘em. The city fell in love with the Scots and rooted their team on. When Scotland flew off to Miami for their third game, the editors of The Boston Globe took it upon themselves to do a full page formal “Thank You,” which read:

Dear Tartan Army,

You came for the World Cup, but gave us something more.

“For a week, you turned train stations into singalongs, Fenway into a football ground and an ordinary June into something we’ll be talking about for years.

“Boston has hosted championships, parades and celebrations of every kind. But we’ve never hosted guests quite like you all.

“Thank you for the laughter, the bagpipes and the memories. The World Cup will move on. So will the songs, but we’ll never forget the joy you brought to our city.”

CAN’T MAKE IT UP: Olympiakos and Panathinaikos squared-off for the Greek League basketball finals and, as per usual, there were some serious sparks. This year, however, it went above and beyond. The sports commission of Greece imposed a six-month ban (from attending games) and a fine on Panathinaikos team owner Dimitris Giannakopoulos during Game 4 of the Finals. The fine of $50,000 (Euros) was doubled when the basketball club was also fined for the same amount, with the commission stating Giannakopoulos was penalized for “repeated defamation of the sport.” … The Game 4 fine was stiffer as Giannakopoulos was previously penalized with a one-month ban and a $30,000 (euros) fine from Game 1 of the Finals with the ban obviously ignored. … It got worse. … Following Game 2, Giannakopoulos was handed another one-month ban. Game officials reported that he stepped onto the court to aggressively protest and threaten referees, explicitly demanding a technical foul be given to Olympiacos coach Georgios Bartzokas. Olympiacos won the championship series. They defeated Panathinaikos 3-2 in the best-of-five.

Ailing Mariners Host Struggling Sox

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SEATTLE – (Wire Service Preview) – Outfielder Luke Raley was over the lower back tightness that forced him to miss the first two games of the Seattle Mariners’ series with the Baltimore Orioles. But he sat out the series finale on Thursday in Seattle with the flu.

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The players who normally occupy the top six spots in the Mariners’ batting order — J.P. Crawford, Cal Raleigh, Julio Rodriguez, Josh Naylor, Randy Arozarena and Raley — all missed games this week because of injuries.

Crawford (left hand contusion) and Raleigh (strained right oblique) were activated from the injured list Tuesday, the same day Arozarena (left hamstring strain) was placed on the IL. Naylor (right wrist discomfort) missed two games before returning Thursday, and Rodriguez (hamstring spasm) sat out the finale against the Orioles after leaving Wednesday’s game after six innings with a left hamstring spasm.

“We were banged up, no question,” Mariners manager Dan Wilson said. “We’ve had some injuries over the last week, but it doesn’t do any good to focus on that. We focused on winning the series.”

The Mariners did that with a 3-0 victory Thursday, scoring all of their runs in the first inning to back Bryan Woo, who allowed three hits over seven-plus innings with nine strikeouts.

“That’s the team stepping up in a situation where we needed it to,” Wilson said. “That’s what the fight in there is all about.”

Wilson said he considers Rodriguez, who ran in the outfield and performed agility drills before Thursday’s game, as day-to-day.

“Julio’s just getting a chance to get a day (off) to make sure we’re all set with his legs,” Wilson said. “I think that’s a smart thing to do.”

The Red Sox, in last place in the AL East, have lost four games in a row and eight of their past 10. They were swept in a three-game series at home by Toronto, including a 4-3 defeat Thursday afternoon as the Blue Jays scored the go-ahead run off closer Aroldis Chapman in the ninth inning.

That came after Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Caleb Durbin hit back-to-back homers leading off the bottom of the eighth to give the Red Sox the lead.

“They’re all kicks (to the gut),” Kiner-Falefa said. “Swept at home, in division, it doesn’t get worse than that, right? So hopefully, we just go to the West Coast and play well. We’ve got to go on a streak, and we’ve got to go on a streak now. It’s time to go on a streak, or we’re going to be having new players in this locker room. So just got to figure it out ASAP.”

The Red Sox will start left-hander Ranger Suarez (2-3, 3.21 ERA) in Friday’s series opener against Mariners right-hander Bryce Miller (3-0, 1.54)

Suarez is 0-1 in his past seven starts since his last win on April 27. He didn’t get a decision Saturday in a 6-3 victory against visiting Texas despite allowing just two runs on six hits over five innings, with seven strikeouts.

Suarez is 2-0 with a 1.42 ERA in two career starts against Seattle.

Miller has won his past two starts and three of his past four. He pitched eight innings in a 10-2 victory last Friday at Washington, giving up two runs on four hits with seven strikeouts.

Miller is 0-3 with an 8.22 ERA in three previous starts vs. the Red Sox.

–Field Level Media

Sox Can’t Walk 500 Miles for a Win

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By TERRY LYONS, Editor in Chief

BOSTON – Screw Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” and here’s a hearty New England welcome to “The Proclaimers.“

If you were around in 1988 and buying records in the United Kingdom, all the kids’ pounds (£) were being plunked down in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen for a catchy little tune that made it to No. 11 on the charts.

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“I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” was the song and it was released in August of that year, placed on an album called, “Sunshine on Leith.”

Apparently, the Toronto Blue Jays and Red Sox closer Aroldis Chapman didn’t buy the album, as Chapman – the closer of closers – came to the mound at Fenway with the score tied, 3-3, in the top of the ninth inning. He was in for the hold, really, with Boston interim manager Chad Tracy dreaming of a come-from-behind victory on a gorgeous Thursday afternoon when 32,027 fans packed the tiny ballpark. And, yes, about 5,000 of those fans had first-hand connections to the Scottish National soccer team who will play their second of three World Cup preliminary games at “Boston Stadium” in Foxborough on Friday night. They were all singing 500 Miles and they were lit.

Fenway’s game ops people have jumped on the Scottish bandwagon since Sunday night when a (literal) parade of Scots in kilts marched to Fenway from the Fens, playing bagpipes and singing their favorite tunes. “Sweet Caroline” is not one of them, as that particular song has been co-opted by England’s footy team, so the Scots sit it out when the Fenway faithful sing-a-long in the middle of the eighth, as per usual.

Scotland’s fans have fallen in love with Boston, mainly because the locals have been buying the sons and daughters of Scotland cold beers to act as a gesture of hospitality to make up for the ridiculous price-gouging by the trains, planes and automobile prices to get from Boston to the hinterlands of what was formerly known as Gillette Stadium – located someplace west of Boston and east of Providence. There’s talk of Glasgow and Boston becoming sister-cities.

Somewhat fueled by a raucous Boston crowd, singing and dancing and carrying on in the middle of the 8th inning, Boston shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa and third baseman Caleb Durbin hit back-to-back solo home runs to lead-off the home half of the eighth and tie the score at 3-all, knotting what had been a 3-1 Toronto Blue Jays crusher and another loss at home.

But, the Scots and The Proclaimers sang of “Walking 500 Miles” in a song expressing a deep commitment to love, and emphasizing the lengths one would go to for a partner, a fan, maybe a teammate?

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It just wasn’t meant to be when Toronto’s second baseman Ernie Clement got onboard with an infield hit in the ninth. With two outs, Blue Jays back-up catcher Brandon Valenzuela drove in the game-winning run with a double down the left field line to score Clement from first base and put the Jays up, 4-3.

The run earned Toronto its second series sweep and sent the Red Sox packing for Seattle as losers of four straight, and eight of 10. The Sox were swept in a series for the fifth time this season, including the third time at home. Boston is now (29-43) and in last place in the American League East, 16 games off the lead, while the Jays are mired in third place in the AL East at (37-38).

Chapman took the loss (0-2) after starter Sonny Gray went a season high 7.0 IP and 89 pitches (63 strikes). Gray let up three earned runs and six hits with a walk and four strikeouts. Toronto’s starter, Trey Yesavage pitched a strong, career-high  7.1 innings, giving up only four hits with the three earned runs and six strikeouts. Reliever Tommy Nance was credited with the victory, his first of the season against two losses. Blue Jays reliver Mason Fluharty earned the save, his first, against two losses.

The loss dropped Boston record against AL East teams to (6-17) as they have lost each of their last seven games to divisional opponents, dating back to June 7 at New York (Yankees). It was Toronto’s first series sweep of the Sox since September 15-17, 2023.

Boston jets off to Seattle for a three-game set (Friday to Sunday), then continues to Colorado for three games, scheduled June 22 to 24. The Red Sox return home, without their friends from Scotland, for a four-game series against the AL division leading Yankees, June 25-28.