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Terry Lyons

Red Sox: Five in a Row and Here They Go

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By TERRY LYONS

BALTIMORE – In 2018, the Red Sox lost their opening day game and nearly all of Boston hit the panic button. Fast-forward past 2019-20 and the Sox lost their first three games of this young 2021 season and all of the New England skies were falling. Now, five games later, the Red Sox are riding a five-game winning streak and fans are checking their 2018 schedule results for comparisons to a team that went 108-54.

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Taking it to that extreme so early in the 2021 season is certainly nonsensical, but for the shear fun of it, the 2021 Sox will need to win another four straight to mirror the nine-game win streak manager Alex Cora enjoyed to start the title season after the disappointing opener.

To earn the fifth straight victory, it took 10 innings and a Rafael Devers home run in the 6th inning, a game tying series of singles and grounding into fielder’s choices in the top of the 9th, and Michael Chavis scoring a run in the top of the 10th inning on a wild pitch to seal the win. An RBI single by Christian Vázquez added an insurance run and extended Boston’s winning streak to five games with a 6-4 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday night, April 10.

“It’s a good vibe,” Cora said. “A lot of people don’t feel like we have any superstars. This is a good baseball team. They did everything right toward the end of the game.”

For Baltimore ,outfielder Trey Mancini hit his first home run since his return from cancer surgery that caused him to miss the 2020 season. It was Mancini’s first homer since Sept. 28, 2019.

 

TL’s Sunday Sports Notebook – April 11th

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Sports Notes, Thoughts, and Observations on Masters Weekend

By TERRY LYONS

BOSTON – This will be a column of free-flowing thoughts and observations from the past week. In honor of the Masters, I bring you a Sunday Sports Notebook “Unlike Any Other.”

“One Shining Moment” was lauded last week just before the 2021 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament came to a wonderful Final Four close with one amazing semi-final game (Gonzaga over UCLA) and an incredible display of overall offensive and defensive talent by the 2021 NCAA Champion Baylor Bears with their title win over the previously undefeated Gonzaga Bulldogs.

Little did we know that “One Shining Moment is actually a not-so-distant cousin to the famous Masters mantra “Tradition Unlike Any Other”  – a phrase made famous by CBS Sports’ Jim Nantz. The catch-phrase, can be attributed (once said Nantz) to the same man who was behind “One Shining Moment.” That is Doug Towey, the CBS Sports Creative Director who so sadly passed away in 2009 at the age of 61. … In the sports industry, it’s important to “Make a Mark,“and Towey did that behind the scenes at Blackrock with two iconic spring sports traditions that will – hopefully – last forever.

Speaking of “Making a Mark,” Rick Welts, the President of the Golden State Warriors, this week announced that this season would be his last with the franchise. In full disclosure, I used to report to Welts when he was the head of communications and marketing at the NBA – a bit before his promotion to the President of NBA Properties.

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In one of Welts’ senior management presentations at an internal business summit held at the Doral Conference Center in Rye Brook, NY, he noted the most important things to consider if you were to be a success at the NBA. Four of them always resonated with me and rose to the top of Welts’ list:

  1. Know the NBA’s History
  2. You’re Often Judged by the Way You Contribute to the Goals of Others
  3. Conflict is Good; Un-resolved Conflict is Not Good.
  4. Make a Mark

That, indeed, is what Welts did and will continue to do so, in some fashion, I am sure.

Winning seems to follow Rick Welts around, as evidenced by a laundry list of amazing career accomplishments. Here are a few off the top of my head:

  1. In his first sports job, as a ballboy for the now defunct Seattle SuperSonics, the Sonics won the NBA Championship (1979). More importantly, those years struck the chords for a lifetime friendship between Welts and Bill Russell, the NBA’s “Babe Ruth.”
  2. As the head of NBA Properties, the business and marketing arm of the league, Welts spearheaded the launch and marketing of the WNBA, together with USA Basketball and his staff, he planned and executed all media, marketing and PR efforts behind the 1992 USA Basketball Dream Team – from inception to the staging of the Basketball Tournament of the Americas in Portland (the USA had to qualify for Barcelona ‘92) and right up until the USOC took over marketing rights at the ‘92 Summer Games. Welts built NBA Properties and further grew its influence in Consumer Products (think NBA Hoop Cards, E/A Sports video games, apparel, you name it) into a $2 Billion operation that had a mantra of, “we’re not just in the business to sell, but more importantly to renew and improve existing sponsorships, licensees and advertisers.” … Aside from those major marks, Welts was behind the expansion of the NBA All-Star Game into a full NBA All-Star Weekend, complete with All-Star Saturday’s Slam-Dunk and popular Three-Point Shootout. … He played a lead roll in most of the NBA’s International business and marketing efforts, including the establishment of regional offices around the world. … There’s plenty more but column inches, even online, are somewhat limited.
  3. After his stint at the NBA league office, Welts took a side-step to work with Chase Carey and FOX Sports’ interests in professional sports, including STAPLES Center, the LA Dodgers and other investments but the lure of the NBA came calling and he joined the Phoenix Suns as President, and later team CEO, running the franchise’s business operations. … In 2002, when Welts joined, the Suns went 36-46 but by 2004-05, they soared to a 62-20 record under Coach Mike D’Antoni. (The Suns fell short in the Western Conference finals.)
  4. After his nine-year stint with the Suns, Welts joined the Golden State Warriors as team President in October, 2011. Of course, most credit is due to all-star level talent and strong coaching by Steve Kerr, but welts helped place an organizational foundation under the Warriors that resulted in five appearances in the NBA Finals and three NBA Championships (2015, ‘17 and ‘18).
  5. In addition to his successes around the court, Welts also made a huge mark when, in May, 2011, he announced to the sports industry and the world that he was gay, and in doing so, was the first executive in m major sports to take that step so publicly in a front page New York Times story, nonetheless. … Welts noted he received thousands of notes, emails and not one was negative in any manner. … His tireless philanthropic work and true inspiration to all in the SF-Bay area just might outshine those 60+ win seasons and three NBA championship rings.
  6. Most recently, Welts next took on one of the most difficult tasks in the sports industry as the Warriors’ lead exec for the club’s move from Oakland to San Francisco and the building of the brand new Chase Center and its surrounding, privately financed “Thrive City” multi-purpose entertainment facilities.

What’s Next or Who’s Got Next? Welts seems to be keeping it close to the vest while looking forward to a near-future, post global pandemic return to some normalcy and maybe travel to some of the spots he didn’t really get to see while on the job, whether they be Paris or Barcelona or other points in the worlds.

His interview with Mark Spears of The Undefeated touched on many of these very topics. Click HERE to read that column.

While Welts takes a well-deserved break from the pressure and running an organization in the middle to third quarter of the COVID-19 pandemic, this columnists wonders aloud what might happen if the Seattle SuperSonics franchise were to be resurrected sometime soon in the Emerald City and an ownership stake and President/CEO position came calling for a man to jump-start the expansion franchise?

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Justin Rose Shot a 65 to Take Opening Round Lead at The Masters

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Rose Fires Six Under on Back 9

By TERRY LYONS

England’s Justin Rose burst onto the professional golf scene as an 18-year old with a (T-4) and low amateur honors at the 1998 Open Championship. He’s won the 2013 U.S. Open and the gold medal at the 2016 Olympic Games. At the Masters, he’s had a (T-2 in 2015) and an outright runner-up at the 2017 event. In Thursday’s opening round of the 2021 Masters, he shot a blazing 7-under (65), including his six under, six birdies on the Back Nine.

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Rose tied Jack Nicklaus for the most first-round leads/co-leads in Masters Tournament history. (4 times).

Rose’s round began with a bogey on the Par 4 first and one other bogey on the Par 4 seventh hole, and then the magic began. Rose carded an eagle on the Par 5 eighth and proceeded to birdie seven of the next 10 holes to finish two off the Masters/Augusta National course record of (63) – shared by Nick Price (‘86) and Greg Norman (‘96).

Rose played his first 13 Masters without missing a cut, but that streak ended in 2019. Last November he finished (T-23) and was listed as a 70-1 shot by William Hill to win this event.

Brian Harman (USA) and Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama shot impressive opening round three-under (69) and stand four off the lead. Four professionals shot two-under (70) and are (T-4) after 18 holes.

Tournament favorite, Dustin Johnson shot a two-over (74) and other favorites were, at least five off the leader. Patrick Reed fared best (two-under, 70); Jordan Spieth, the winner at last week’s Valero Texas Open and the 2015 Masters champion, shot one-under (71). Spain’s Jon Rahm shot even par (72) and is T-13th after 18.

Justin Thomas is among 10 players (T-20th) after his +1, (73).

Johnson is among 22 players (T-30th) and is joined by former Masters champions Bernard Langer (1985, ‘93), Charl Schwartzel (2011), Bubba Watson (2012, ‘14), and Adam Scott (2013). Some of the PGA Tour’s highly-ranked players like Brooks Koepka, Tommy Fleetwood and Matt Fitzpatrick are also (T-30).

Masters Leaderboard After Opening Round:

Justin Rose 65 (-7)

Brian Harman 69 (-3)

Hideki Matsuyama 69 (-3)

Will Zalatoris 70 (-2)

Webb Simpson 70 (-2)

Christiaan Bezuidenhout 70 (-2)

Patrick Reed 70 (-2)

MLB: Red Sox Continue to Roll

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Red Sox Jump to First Place Tie with Four-Game Win Streak

BALTIMORE – The Boston Red Sox scored a grand total of five runs during their three-game, season-opening losing streak. Since their last loss, an 11-2 thrashing by these Baltimore Orioles on April 4, Boston scored 33 runs in four straight wins to go from last place to a tie for first in the American League East. After a rare Friday off-day, the Sox and Orioles will break that tie with their next game scheduled at Camden Yards Saturday evening at 7:05pm EDT.

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Red Sox SP Eduardo Rodríguez won in his return from a year-long absence from the mound. He has returned to active duty after a 2020 bout with COVID-19 and heart inflammation that sidelined him indefinitely in the abbreviated 60-game season. In his return, Rodriguez allowed three runs over five innings Thursday to lead the Boston Red Sox over Baltimore, 7-3, spoiling the Orioles’ home opener.

Rodriguez, 28, was placed on the 10-day injured list to start this season, citing left elbow inflammation (retroactive to March 29). After missing the entire 2020 season due to myocarditis, the left-hander made four starts in spring training and went 3-0 with a 2.63 ERA (4 ER/13.2 IP), 15 strikeouts, and two walks. In 127 career games (122 starts) with the Red Sox, Rodriguez is 51-31 with a 4.03 ERA (313 ER/699.0 IP). In 2019, he finished sixth in American League Cy Young Award voting.

Thursday’s Boston victory over Baltimore came after the Sox had evened their record at 3-3 (.500) with a three-game sweep over divisional rival Tampa Bay. During the series, the Sox recorded a +17 run differential (26-9), batted .339 with a .903 OPS, posted a 2.10 ERA and .194 opponent AVG, committed 0 errors, and allowed 0 HR.

Of the 20 seasons in which the Red Sox started 0-3, this season is only the second time they rebounded to win their next three games and move to 3-3. The previous occurrence was back in 1951.

 

 

NBA: Celtics Approach Final Month

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Boston Celtics Competing for Playoff Spot in Eastern Conference

BOSTON – Since dropping six of eight games between March 11 and 24th, the Boston Celtics utilized the NBA Trading deadline to shake-up an inconsistent line-up and have won three of their last four games and five of their last eight. After a home game against the Minnesota Timberwolves tonight which caps a seven-game home stand (3-3), Boston heads out west for three games to begin the crucial final month of the NBA regular season.

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Remember! The NBA season began a month later than usual and will conclude on May 16, rather than the normal mid-April finish.

Boston is coming off an important and hard fought victory over the Knicks, (101-99) at TD Garden. Celtics’ all-star swingman Jaylen Brown had a double-double effort with a game-high 32 points and 10 rebounds with two steals while fellow all-star forward Jayson Tatum added 25 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. Boston’s team-leader in guard Marcus Smart had one of his best all-around performances of the season with 17 points and nine assists.

Celtics forward-center Tristan Thompson made his return to the lineup and recorded seven points, eight rebounds and a season-high three blocks in just over 22 minutes coming off the bench.

The Knicks were led by RJ Barrett and his 29 points and five rebounds while Julius Randle added 22 points, nine rebounds and six assists.

Newly acquired Celtics forward Evan Fournier is out and under league protocol guidelines. Just a week ago, Fournier scored 20 of his 23 points against Houston (April 2) during the fourth quarter on seven-for-seven shooting including six three pointers.

Fournier’s performance came after his scoreless, 0-for-10 debut with the Celtics after his trade from Orlando. According
to ESPN Stats & Info, Fournier is the second Boston Celtics player in the last 25 seasons to score 20 points on 100% shooting in a quarter, joining Paul Pierce who recorded the feat in 2009 against Chicago.

Fournier’s seven three-pointers on the night was also tied for the second most by a Celtic in franchise history coming off of the bench behind Eddie House’s eight three pointers which he made against Sacramento on Jan. 28, 2009.

Boston tonight faces a (13-39) Minnesota team, losers in three of their last four games, including a 141-137 loss at Indiana (April 7) to begin this current two-game road-trip. Minnesota’s head coach, Chris Finch, took over on February 22. He is 6-15 since taking the reigns from dismissed Coach Ryan Saunders.

PGA Tour: First Look at The Masters

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Welcome to PGA Tour Brunch Coverage of the 2021 Masters

AUGUSTA – The Masters returns to its customary April slot in the PGA Tour schedule after the 2020 rendition was moved to and successfully completed without patrons in November. Dustin Johnson is the defending champion, albeit for a short six months, and hosted his champions Dinner last night.

Tiger Woods was unable to attend the dinner and, obviously, will not play in the tournament, as he recovers from injury and surgery after his dangerous auto accident on February 23rd. Los Angeles authorities released some details of the accident report today, noting Woods’ vehicle was traveling north of 80 mph when the crash occurred.

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The tournament’s wonderful tradition of honoring its past continues Thursday with the 7:45am EDT ceremonial First Tee shots will feature Lee Elder, GaryPlayer and Jack Nicklaus.

The tournament Tee Times begin Thursday at 7:45am (EDT) through 2:00pm (EDT). (For R-2 on Friday, Tee times range from 8am EDT) to 2:00pm EDT0 (link)

Weather: Thursday weather calls for mostly cloudy skies, 74-degrees with 11 mph winds and a 20% chance of rain. Friday forecast is calling for scattered thundershowers (aren’t they always)? Temperature at 72% with 57% humidity and a 40% chance of rain. Forecast calls for showers and thunderstorms on the weekend, too.

PGATourBrunch will be posting by 8am EDT from Thursday through Sunday.

Next Week: The RBC Heritage from Hilton Head

Field Updates:

None

The Field (link)

Power Rankings (PGATourCom)

THIS WEEK on the PGA TOUR: The Masters

COURSE: Augusta National GC, Augusta, Georgia

ARCHITECTS: Allister Mackenzie and Bobby Jones, Jr.

YARDS/PAR: 7,472 yards/Par 72

PRIZE Money/First Place Winnings: $11,500,000/$2,100,000

DEFENDING Champion (November 2020) – Dustin Johnson – (Leaderboard link)

PAST RESULTS: (link)

PAST MASTERS CHAMPIONS: (link)

FEDEx CUP Points Available/Winner Share: 3,375/600

SOCIAL MEDIA: #PGATour #FedEXCup #TheMasters

OFFICIAL SITE: (MastersCom)

TV COVERAGE: Thursday, April 8 and Friday, April 9: 3:00pm to 7:30pm (EDT) on ESPN. Saturday, April 10 – Exclusive TV coverage 3:00pm to 7:00pm (EDT) on CBS. Sunday, April 11 – Exclusive TV coverage from 2:00pm to 7:00pm (EDT).

STREAMING: Masters Live will offer streaming coverage of the tournament Thursday (7:45am to 7:30pm (EDT) and Friday from 8:30am to 7:30pm (EDT). Saturday and Sunday streaming coverage will be from 10:15am to 7:00pm (EDT).

PGA TOUR RADIO COVERAGE: Special Masters Radio coverage on Thursday – Friday – 2:00pm to 8:00pm (EDT); then Saturday and Sunday, 2:00pm to 7:00pm (EDT) on Sirius XM Satellite Radio. Masters Coverage via PGA Tour Radio is available on Sirius 208/XM 92) or online on PGATour.com.

How to Watch: (PGATourCom)

Odds & Predictions:

A L👀K at the O👀S and A PREDICTION OR TWO:

Masters Odds (via William Hill)

Dustin Johnson 9-1
Jordan Spieth 10-1
Justin Thomas 10-1
Bryson DeChambeau 11-1
Jon Rahm 12-1
Rory McIlroy 14-1
Xander Schauffele 22-1
Patrick Cantlay 22-1
Brooks Koepka 25-1
Patrick Reed 28-1
Collin Morikawa 30-1
Lee Westwood 30-1
Tony Finau 33-1
Daniel Berger 33-1
Viktor Hovland 33-1
Webb Simpson 35-1
Hideki Matsuyama 35-1
Cameron Smith 35-1
Sung-Jae Im 35-1
Scottie Scheffler 35-1
Tyrrell Hatton 35-1
Paul Casey 40-1
Tommy Fleetwood 45-1
Matthew Fitzpatrick 45-1
Jason Day 45-1
Sergio Garcia 45-1
Joaquin Niemann 50-1
Bubba Watson 50-1
Adam Scott 66-1
Will Zalatoris 66-1
Louis Oosthuizen 66-1
Justin Rose 70-1
Abraham Ancer 70-1
Harris English 80-1
Corey Conners 80-1
Billy Horschel 80-1
Max Homa 80-1
Jason Kokrak 80-1
Matt Kuchar 80-1
Matt Wallace 80-1
Francesco Molinari 90-1
Matthew Wolff 90-1
Victor Perez 90-1
Shane Lowry 90-1
Brian Harman 90-1
Marc Leishman 100-1
Phil Mickelson 100-1
Christiaan Bezuidenhout 100-1
Si-Woo Kim 100-1
Ryan Palmer 100-1
Matt Jones 125-1
Cameron Champ 125-1
Dylan Frittelli 125-1
Ian Poulter 125-1
Kevin Kisner 125-1
Danny Willett 125-1
Carlos Ortiz 125-1
Robert Macintyre 125-1
Gary Woodland 125-1
Zach Johnson 150-1
Sebastian Munoz 150-1
Kevin Na 150-1
Bernd Wiesberger 200-1
Brendon Todd 200-1
Lanto Griffin 200-1
Mackenzie Hughes 200-1
Charl Schwartzel 250-1
C.T. Pan 250-1
Martin Laird 250-1
Michael Thompson 250-1
Henrik Stenson 250-1
Brian Gay 300-1
Hudson Swafford 400-1
Jimmy Walker 400-1
Stewart Cink 400-1
Bernhard Langer 500-1
Robert Streb 500-1
Jim Herman 500-1
Ty Strafaci 750-1
Fred Couples 750-1
Joe Long 1000-1
Charles Osborne 1000-1
Mike Weir 1000-1
Vijay Singh 1000-1
Jose Maria Olazabal 1500-1
Sandy Lyle 2500-1
Larry Mize 2500-1
Ian Woosnam 4000-1

MLB: Red Sox in the Win Column

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Red Sox Offense Emerged in 11-2 Win Over Tampa

BOSTON – The Boston Red Sox snapped a three-game, season opening losing streak with an 11-2 victory over the visiting Tampa Rays at Fenway Park. Eight of the Boston nine batters recorded at least a hit and six Sox recorded multiple hits which hadn’t happened since August, 2019.

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Boston starting pitcher Nick Pivetta pitched 5.0 innings of scoreless baseball, his ninth career scoreless start. He allowed only two hits and struck-out four. Dating back to last season, Pivetta is now 3-0 with the Red Sox with a 1.20 ERA.

Rays starter Michael Wacha recorded four of his first six outs with strike-outs, including striking out the side to open the 1st inning but then the Red Sox offense came alive in numerous ways:

  • J.D. Martinez recorded his third straight multi-hit game and went 2-for-3, with two walks, a home run and three RBI.
  • Alex Verdugo went 2-for-4 with a 2B and sacrifice fly for two RBI.
  • Xander Bogaerts matched his career-high for hits in a game by going 4-for-5 with a 2B and an RBI.
  • Newcomer Frenchy Cordero gave the Sox a 1-0 lead with his 2B in the 2nd inning and went 2-for-4 with two RBI.
  • Hunter Renfroe hit a sacrifice fly to give Boston a 2-0 lead in the 4th inning, to add to his 2-for-3 performance.
  • Catcher Christian Vazquez led off the 2nd and 4th inning with singles and scored each time in his 2-for-4 outing.
  • Utility man Marwin Gonzalez proved his versatility as he became the first major leaguer since 1900 to start his team’s first four games at four different positions (LF, 2B, 3B and 1B). He went 1-for-3 with a walk and scored twice.

The Red Sox and Rays square-off again tonight at 7:10pm (EDT). Tyler Glasnow will be pitching for the Rays while Martin Perez starts for Boston.

 

MLB: Red Sox Drop First Three Games

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BOSTON – The Boston Red Sox lost their third consecutive game to begin the season, an 11-3 thrashing by the Baltimore Orioles. It marked the 20th time the Red Sox have lost three consecutive games to begin a season, the first time since 2012. It marked the second time the Sox lost their first three at home, dating back to 1948.

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Baltimore earned their sweep of the Red Sox in a three-game series for the first time since 2017, a series which also came at Fenway Park. The Orioles scored seven runs in the 3rd inning to break the game open and post a 10-0 lead. For the O’, it marked the most runs scored in a single inning against the Red Sox since scoring seven runs in the 5th inning of a 16-3 win on August 25, 2017 at Fenway Park…That was also their most recent time scoring at least 7 runs in an inning on the road.

Centerfielder Cedric Mullins went 5-for-5 with a walk, while hitting three doubles and scoring three times. He set career highs in hits (five), 2B (three), extra base hits (three), and times reaching base safely (six). Mullins is just the fourth Orioles leadoff hitter to reach base safely six times in a game, joining Brady Anderson (6, 1992), Bob Boyd (6, 1958), and Cal Abrams (6, 1954).

For Boston, utility man Marwin Gonzalez (LF, 2B, 3B) and outfielder Alex Verdugo (CF, RF, LF) became the first players in franchise history to start each of the Red Sox’ first three games at three different defensive positions.

 

Jordan Spieth Wins Valero Texas Open

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Spieth Back in Winners’ Circle After 3-Year Drought

SAN ANTONIO – Jordan Spieth earned his 12th PGA Tour title in his 83rd start since winning The 2017 Open Championship, a span of 1,351 days. Spieth joined a list of five players in the last 40 years who reached 12 wins before turning 28 years old: Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, and Justin Thomas

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Spieth became the 92nd player in PGA Tour history to reach 12 wins and moved into a tie for 82nd on the all-time wins list while he improved to 10-for-19 in his PGA TOUR career to win after holding a 54-hole lead/co-lead.

Charley Hoffman finished solo-second for the second consecutive time at the Valero Texas Open, as he finished runner-up to Corey Conners in 2019. Since 2006, Hoffman leads all players at the Valero Texas Open in Top-fives (5), Top-10s (7), Top-25s (12), Cuts Made (15) and score to par (-105).

With a solo-third, Matt Wallace (-14) recorded his career-best result on the PGA TOUR (previous: T3/2019 PGA Championship)

Rickie Fowler (T-17) needed a win to qualify for the Masters Tournamentand will miss a major championship for the first time since the 2010 U.S. Open.

Final Leaderboard at Valero Texas Open 2021:

Jordan Spieth 67-70-67-66—270 (-18)

Charley Hoffman 75-66-65-66—272 (-16)

Matt Wallace 69-68-67-70—274 (-14)

Lucas Glover 73-67-70-66—276 (-12)

Anirban Lahiri 71-69-69-69—278 (-10)

While We’re Young (Ideas) – April 4

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MLB’s Opening Day Brings Excitement, Wonder and Hope

By TERRY LYONS

The late, great Shelby Strother once wrote in a Christmas-New Years sports column, “The Annual Second Chance is near – it’s called New Year’s Eve. It is the window of opportunity where the hopes and fears of all the year (not to mention the mistakes) can be erased.”

You might argue, there is a much better day than New Year’s Eve to do a self examination of the human mind and the life it leads. There is a day when Spring Training is in the rearview mirror and suddenly, everything is for REAL. It all counts. Together with blooming annuals, chirping birds, the NCAA Final Four, and a crowd at Mahoney’s Garden Center, we bring you Opening Day of Major League Baseball.

For most of Baseball, Opening Day was April 1st, April Fools Day which is an indicator for some to be mentioned later in this column of notes. For New Englanders, Opening Day was RAINED OUT at Fenway Park but you can count on Baseball to be there and, indeed, it was on Good Friday.

But as Jimmy Fallon’s character, Ben, said in “Fever Pitch,” you can count on Baseball. “Every April, they’re here. At 1:05 or at 7:05, there is a game. And if it gets rained out, guess what? They make it up to you. Does anyone else in your life do that?”

They made it up on Friday, complete with all the Opening Day splendors of ceremony, bunting, social distancing, 39-degree weather and fly-overs. The Baltimore Orioles were the visiting team and their starting pitcher, John Means of Olathe, Kansas, gave up a lead-off single to Red Sox 2B Kiké Hernandez much to the delight of the 4,452 fans lucky enough to score a ticket for such a special game.

Then, reality set in and – for Red Sox fans – often, “Reality Sucks!”

The kid from Johnson County, Kansas threw darts and a sinking change-up that must’ve fallen-off a cliff in Oz. Means tossed 7.0 innings of one-hit baseball, including his retirement of 18 consecutive Boston batters. When John throws a baseball, he Means business and the Red Sox were shut-out on their Opening Day for the first time since 1976.

Yet, somehow, even Red Sox fans went home happy.

Baseball – with some fans in the stands – was back and people came to the game. Better yet? In Texas on Monday, they’re expecting 40,300 at Globe Life Stadium in Arlington to watch the Texas Rangers play host against a homeless team originally from Toronto. Must be a “give-away day,” right? Just ask the Washington Nationals.

Rangers fans are obviously shouting, “Pandemic Fever be Damned,” and how can you blame them? We’ve all endured a year of a global pandemic, and so many of our global neighbors, some 2,836,220, have passed away while 130,101,770 of our brothers and sisters threw their own sinking change-ups and one-hit the disease, thank God.

Sunshine, Hot Dogs, Apple Pie and Baseball bring us the excitement, wonder of what the future may bring in the standings of ball and the ladder of life, and hope. Dear, precious hope.

As James Earl Jones, playing Terence Mann in Field of Dreams said so eloquently to Kevin Costner, portraying Ray Kinsella as they discussed the allure of the sport we call our National Pastime:

“People will come, Ray. The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it’s a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again.”

Yes. People came out to the old ballgame and things were good once again for the day.

HERE NOW, THE NOTES: Baseball’s Opening Day might be one of the more underrated of GREAT events on our normal, annual sports calendar.

Another is upon us, as well. That being March Madness and the Final Four. The Saturday semifinals of the tournament is on that lofty list of the greatest days in sports. The underrated gem, is the half hour before tip-off of the first game on Saturday. At that point in time, the fans of the four teams in the gym ALL think they have a shot at the National Championship. The excitement and buzz in that half-hour might be the very best 30 minutes in sports.

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