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Broadway: The Player Named Later

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BOSTON – (Staff Report from Official News Release) – The Boston Red Sox acquired minor league right-handed pitcher Taylor Broadway from the Chicago White Sox, completing the August 1 trade for left-handed pitcher Jake Diekman in which Boston received catcher Reese McGuire. Broadway will report to Double-A Portland. Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom made the acquisition.

Broadway, 25, is 3-2 with a 4.74 ERA (26 ER/49.1 IP) in 37 relief appearances for Double-A Birmingham this season, having also made three appearances for High-A Winston-Salem. Selected by Chicago in the sixth round of the 2021 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Mississippi, the right-hander is 4-2 with a 4.45 ERA (32 ER/64.2 IP) and 12.80 strikeouts per 9.0 innings in 52 career appearances (one start), recording 92 strikeouts and only 18 walks.

Story Back with Red Sox

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BOSTON – (Staff Report from Official News Release) – The Boston Red Sox reactivated second baseman Trevor Story from Major League Baseball’s 10-Day Injured List and optioned outfielder Jarren Duran to Triple-A Worcester following Friday night’s 9-8 Sox victory. The roster move was made by Boston’s Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom.

Story, 29, was placed on the 10-Day Injured list due to a right hand contusion on July 16, retroactive to July 14. The right-handed hitter made two rehab starts at second base for Double-A Portland on August 24 and 25, going 3-for-5 with three runs, a double, a home run, and three RBI. Story has hit .221 (68-for-307) with 49 runs, 17 doubles, 15 home runs, 58 RBI, and a team-high 10 stolen bases in 81 games for Boston this season while making 79 starts at second base.

Duran, 25, has played 57 games for Boston this season, making 47 starts in center field and five in right field. The left-handed hitter has batted .220 (44-for-200) with 23 runs, 20 extra-base hits, and 17 RBI in the majors this season. Duran has also hit .305 (54-for-177) with 23 extra-base hits and 28 RBI in 43 games for Worcester.

TL’s Sunday Sports Notes | August 14

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By TERRY LYONS

BOSTON – The NBA wasted no time in paying the ultimate tribute to the great Celtics center, Bill Russell, who passed away July 31 at the age of 88. On the day of his private funeral, Russell’s No. 6 uniform was retired across the entire league, a gesture that Major League Baseball reserved for the great Jackie Robinson and the NHL for the “Great One,” Wayne Gretzky

In the major North American sports, that’s it. A group of three.

While living athletes might gain lofty honors, such as being inducted to their sports Hall of Fame or making an NBA@50 or NBA-75/76, or an NFL or NHL All-Century team. Maybe the highest honor is to carry the flag of your birth nation into the Olympic Games, with the real treat of doing it on your native soil (Andrew Gaze, Sydney 2000, Australia; Yao Ming 2008, Beijing, China; Bruce Baumgartner, Atlanta ‘96, USA; Sir Chris Hoy, London 2012, UK); Yane Márcia Campos, Rio, Brazil 2016 ) and so on.

Lighting the Olympic cauldron on your home turf is pretty cool, too, but the retirement of a number across the entire league is the subject matter for today. That is a lofty group of three, although I’m a bit partial to Katherine Switizer’s bib No. 261 being retired by the Boston Athletic Association.

What about sports that don’t assign numbers? Are there a few players in those sports who might be so honored?

I’ll start!

  • Jack Nicklaus
  • Tiger Woods

Swimming

  • Mark Spitz
  • Michael Phelps
  • Krisztina Egerszegi
  • Katie Ledecky

Men’s Tennis

  • Novak Djokovic
  • Rafa Nadal
  • Roger Federer

Women’s Tennis

  • Billie Jean King
  • Margaret Court
  • Martina Navratilova
  • Serena Williams

Yes, Serena Williams – definitely the greatest women’s tennis player of our time – announced her plans to retire after this year’s U.S. Open, scheduled August 29-September 11th at the Billie Jean King Tennis Center in Flushing, NY.

They’ll need to build a new court to properly honor her, alongside King and the great Arthur Ashe.

Unless we get some “Jimmy Connors-like” miracle on center court in Flushing Meadows, Williams is likely to retire with 23 Grand Slam singles championships, one shy of Ms. Court. She was the winner of the “Serena Slam” – four consecutive Grand Slam tournaments but not in the same calendar year.

In 2015, Williams won her 19th Grand Slam at the Australian Open, her 20th at the French and her 21st at Wimbledon. (Serena lost in the U.S. Open semis to Roberta Vinci).

Williams’ 23rd Grand Slam, her last, was the 2017 Australian, when at age 35 and two months pregnant with her daughter Olympia, Serena defeated her talented sister, Venus, in straight sets to gain her victory.

Just this week, “The Atlantic” wrote of Williams’ desire to focus on her family, possibly give birth to a sibling for her daughter. To do what she wants to do with her life. Caira Conner of The Atlantic skillfully wrote, “Williams’s name is synonymous with the thing she helped revolutionize. Even when she finally puts down her racquet, Williams won’t really leave us. She may not be able to dually serve the gods of tennis and motherhood, but generations of young athletes will continue to pick up racquets of their own because she inspired them to do so. A legacy like that is more than numbers.”

Twenty-three is a great number.

I wonder if the NBA will retire it league-wide someday?

HERE NOW, THE NOTES: It’s been 30 years since the USA Basketball Dream Team came home from the ‘92 Barcelona Olympics with the gold medal and having changed the world of basketball forever. The impact resonates like the ripples of water from a pebble tossed into the center of a Great Lake. While the NBA and Michael Jordan were soaring to new heights in the early ‘90s, boys and girls growing up all over the world took a serious look at basketball for the very first time. … The first real impact came in about 2000-02 when Houston Rockets center Yao Ming came along from China, all 7-foot-5 of him, joined with Argentina’s Manu Ginobili, a soon-to-be-inducted Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer. NBA Finals MVPs Tim Duncanof the USVI and teammate Tony Parker of France led the San Antonio Spurs to five titles (1999, 2003, ‘05, ‘07 and 2014). Dirk Nowitzki led the Dallas Mavericks to an NBA championship in 2011 after 15 playoff appearances and a Finals MVP. … There were more, thousands more in the international leagues around the world, and in USA colleges. Now, 30 years later, the sport is seeing and enjoying the ripples from the first stone cast. … It’s happening all over the globe – both men’s and women’s programs. While the impact has been quite evident on the court, the true value has been the social impact off-the-court, as evidenced by the NBA’s Basketball w/o Borders program and hundreds, if not thousands, of player appearances and goodwill trips to not only help the growth of awareness in the sport but to convey important life messages to youth living all around the world. Thirty years! Can you believe it? It’s been a hell of a Dream.

DIAMOND DUST-UPs: Nothing like waiting until August 12 for the key indicator of success in a baseball season. Friday night’s 3-2 Boston win over New York marked the Red Sox first win of the season when trailing after eight innings (1-45). … That stated and heading into Saturday night’s game on FOX, the Sox have come from behind in five of their last seven wins and in eight of their last 11.

TID-BITS: College basketball teams are starting their international endeavors. Just this week, Auburn was off to Israel to play a selection of the Israel’s U-20, a national Select All-Star team and then a 95-86 loss to Israel’s senior national team. … Meanwhile, St. John’s was off to the Dominican Republic and took a hard-fought 89-87 victory over DR’s U-22 national team. … St, John’s center Joel Soriano, a transfer out of Fordham who once played for the DR’s U-18 team at the FIBA U18 Tournament of the Americas. … Three weeks until College Football. … Saturday, September 3 at 12 Noon, Big 10 Rutgers Scarlet Knights visit Chestnut Hill for Boston College’s home opener. … As you’re getting ready for some football, the PGA Tour will be exiting ahead of the NFL season to avoid any sort of TV ratings clash. … After this weekend’s FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind in Memphis, the Top 70 eligible players will qualify for next week’s BMW Championship at Wilmington (Delaware) Country Club, with the Top 30 after the BMW earning spots in the field for the season-ending TOUR Championship at Atlanta’s East Lake Golf Club from August 25-28th, clearing the way for September football. Smart move for the Tour. … We’ll see how the Administrative/PR/Media/TV/Site Protest/9-11 Families/Time Zone-challenged LIVers have tournaments planned for:

  • September 2-4 near Boston
  • September 16-18 in Chicago
  • October 7-9 in Bankok, Thailand
  • October 14-16 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
  • October 29-20 in Miami (Trump venue, right before Election Day)

Smartly, LIV Golf is avoiding the September 21-25 President’s Cup at Quail Hollow, in North Carolina, but the rest of the schedule goes head-to-head against the PGA Tour, LPGA and college and NFL football, all on a USA television outlet to be determined.

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NBA to Retire “No. 6” for Bill Russell

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NEW YORK – (Staff Report from Official News Release) – The NBA is not waiting until the annual All-Star Weekend to honor the late, great Bill Russell.

The National Basketball Association and National Basketball Players Association will immediately pay tribute to the life and legacy of 11-time NBA champion and civil rights pioneer by permanently retiring his uniform No. 6, throughout the league.  The iconic Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer will be the first player to have his number retired across the NBA.

“Bill Russell’s unparalleled success on the court and pioneering civil rights activism deserve to be honored in a unique and historic way,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.  “Permanently retiring his No. 6 across every NBA team ensures that Bill’s transcendent career will always be recognized.”

“This is a momentous honor reserved for one of the greatest champions to ever play the game,” said NBPA Executive Director Tamika Tremaglio.  “Bill’s actions on and off the court throughout the course of his life helped to shape generations of players for the better and for that, we are forever grateful.  We are proud to continue the celebration of his life and legacy alongside the league.”

In addition to retiring Russell’s number, the NBA will pay tribute to the Boston Celtics’ legend throughout the 2022-23 season.  All NBA players will wear a commemorative patch on the right shoulder of their jerseys, and every NBA court will display a clover-shaped logo with the No. 6 on the sideline near the scorer’s table.  The Celtics, for whom Russell played his entire career and coached, will have a separate and unique recognition for him on their uniforms, to be announced soon.

Russell’s jersey number, which he wore for his entire 13-season career from 1956-69, will not be issued again by any NBA team to any player.  Players who currently wear No. 6 will be grandfathered.

Regarded as the ultimate winner and model teammate, Russell transformed the game with his dominant defense and graceful athleticism at the center position.  He won a record 11 NBA championships in 13 seasons, which followed back-to-back national championships at the University of San Francisco (1955 and 1956) and a gold medal with the U.S. Olympic Men’s Basketball Team (1956).  Russell, who led Boston to eight consecutive NBA championships from 1959-66, was so synonymous with success that the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award was named for him in 2009.

His myriad accomplishments included five NBA Most Valuable Player awards, 12 NBA All-Star selections and 11 All-NBA Team honors.  Russell was named to all four NBA anniversary teams (25th, 35th, 50th and 75th) and inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1975.  A four-time NBA rebounding champion, he ranks second in league history in total rebounds (21,620) and rebounds per game (22.5) in the regular season.  The Celtics retired his No. 6 jersey in 1972.

Russell’s impact on the NBA extended far beyond his playing achievements.  In 1966, he was hired by the Celtics as the first Black head coach in the history of the NBA and major U.S. professional sports.  As a player-head coach, he guided Boston to back-to-back NBA championships in 1968 and 1969.

During and after his extraordinary basketball career, Russell passionately advocated for the values of equality, respect and inclusion.  He marched for civil rights with Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and was steadfast in his belief that all people should be treated with dignity.  Russell was awarded the 2010 Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, for his athletic feats and lifelong commitment to social justice.

USA Basketball can not retire uniform No. 6, as FIBA rules call for only uniform number 4-15 be utilized.

Bruins Sign Krejci; Await Pastrnak

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BOSTON – The Boston Bruins signed forward David Krejci to a one-year contract through the 2022-23 season worth $1 million, plus an additional $2 million in performance-based incentives. The announcement was made by Bruins GM Don Sweeney on the same day the club re-signed forward Patrice Bergeron.

Sweeney has one other key free agent that remains unsigned in David Pastrnak. On his conversations with Pastrnak, Sweeney would not elaborate but indicated talks were on-going through-out the off-season.

“Ongoing would probably be the best way to describe it,” said Sweeney.  “We’ve been in regular communication. Obviously, David’s still over in Europe and the likelihood is he’ll come back and we’ll talk between now and then. When he gets back, we’ll maybe have a better idea of a deal timeline. But I don’t have one today and you guys know me well enough, I’m not going to comment publicly on ongoing negotiations, but we’ve been in regular contact with JP.”

Krejci, 36, played the 2021-22 season in the Czechia league for HC Olomouc. In 51 games, Krejci led his team in goals (20), assists (26) and points (46). The Sternberk, Czech Republic native also represented his country at the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing, China and at the IIHF World Championship in Finland. In four Olympic Games, Krejci recorded one goal and three assists. At the World Championships, he finished second on his team in scoring with three goals and nine assists for 12 points to help his team win a bronze medal.

Prior to his season with HC Olomouc, Krejci played 15 seasons in the NHL, all with the Bruins. In 2020-21, the 6-foot, 188-pound forward appeared in 51 games, tallying eight goals and 36 assists for 44 points and plus-16 rating. In 11 playoff games, he recorded two goals and seven assists for nine points.

Krejci has appeared in 962 career NHL games with Boston, totaling 215 goals and 515 assists for 730 points. In 156 career playoff games with the Bruins, he’s totaled 42 goals and 82 assists for 124 points. He led Boston in postseason scoring in 2011 en route to winning the Stanley Cup. Krejci ranks seventh in Bruins history in games played (962), assists (515), eighth in points (730) and 10th in game-winning goals (41).

Krejci was originally selected by Boston in the second round (63rd overall) of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.

Bruins Sign Patrice Bergeron for a Year

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BOSTON – (Staff Report from Official News Release) – The Boston Bruins signed forward Patrice Bergeron to a one-year contract through the 2022-23 season worth $2.5 million, plus an additional $2.5 million in performance-based incentives.  The announcement was made by Bruins GM Don Sweeney.

Bergeron, 37, is entering his 19th NHL season, all with the Bruins. The L’Ancienne-Lorette, Quebec native ranks third in Bruins history in games played (1,216) and game-winning goals (74), fourth in goals (400), assists (582) and points (982). The 6-foot-1, 195-pound centerman also ranks second in Bruins history in playoff games played (167), playoff points (127), third in playoff assists (78) and tied for third in playoff goals (49).

Among active NHL players, Bergeron ranks third in plus/minus (plus-254), ninth in points and games played, 10th in assists and 12th in goals. Bergeron also ranks seventh among active players in playoff points and playoff assists, eighth in playoff games played and tied for eighth in playoff goals.

In 2021-22, the Bruins captain appeared in 73 games, tallying 25 goals and 40 assists for 65 points with a plus-16 rating. In seven playoff games, Bergeron recorded three goals and four assists for seven points.

Following the season, Bergeron was named the winner of the 2022 Frank J. Selke Trophy, given annually to the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game as judged by the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association. It was the fifth time in his career that Bergeron has won the Selke Trophy, the most ever by a player in NHL history. Bergeron previously won the award in 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2017.

Bergeron was originally selected by Boston in the second round (45th overall) of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.

Sox Acquire Hosmer at Trade Deadline

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BOSTON – On the final day of the MLB trading deadline, the Boston Red Sox acquired first baseman Eric Hosmer, minor league infielder Max Ferguson, minor league outfielder Corey Rosier, and cash considerations from the San Diego Padres, in exchange for minor league left-handed pitcher Jay Groome.

The trades follow Red Sox moves of Monday to acquire reserve OF Tommy Pham and other minor league prospects, along with the activation of veteran pitcher Rich Hill.

Hosmer, 32, has played in 1,644 games with the Kansas City Royals (2011-17) and Padres (2018-22), batting .277 (1,720-for-6,210) with 196 home runs, 875 RBI, and a .765 OPS. Selected by Kansas City in the first round (third overall) of the 2008 June Draft, the left-handed batter is a four-time Gold Glove Award recipient (2013-15, ’17) and was twice honored as the Les Milgram Royals Player of the Year (2013, 2016). His lone All-Star Game appearance came in 2016, when he was named MVP of the Midsummer Classic. Born in South Miami, Hosmer was the Royals’ nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award in 2014 and 2016. He should fit in nicely at 1B and be able to take advantage of Fenway Park’s configuration.

In 2022, Hosmer has hit .272 (91-for-335) with 16 doubles, eight home runs, 40 RBI, and a .727 OPS in 90 games. He was a key member of Kansas City’s 2015 World Series championship club, and in 2017 he helped Team USA win the World Baseball Classic title. No player in Royals history has more postseason RBI than Hosmer’s 29, as he set a single-postseason franchise record with 12 in 2014 and then broke his own mark with 17 during the club’s title-winning run in 2015. In 24 career games at Fenway Park, Hosmer has gone 35-for-99 (.354) with three home runs. He has recorded a higher batting average and OPS (.889) at Fenway than he has at any ballpark in which he has played at least 20 games.

Ferguson, 22, is ranked by Baseball America as the Padres’ No. 23 prospect. In 2022, the left-handed hitter has batted .221 (76-for-344) in 91 games between Low-A Lake Elsinore and High-A Fort Wayne, recording a .365 on-base percentage with 13 doubles, eight triples, six home runs, 50 RBI, 77 runs scored, 75 walks, and 55 stolen bases in 60 attempts. Selected by San Diego in the fifth round of the 2021 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Tennessee, Ferguson ranks third in Minor League Baseball in steals. This season, he has made 55 starts at shortstop, 25 at second base, seven in center field, and two at designated hitter.

Rosier, 22, has spent the entire 2022 season with Fort Wayne, batting .263 (81-for-308) in 85 games with a .381 on-base percentage, seven doubles, eight triples, six home runs, 54 walks, and 33 stolen bases in 37 attempts. Selected by the Seattle Mariners in the 12th round of the 2021 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, he has made 77 starts in left field and seven in center field this season. During his current 10-game hitting streak, which began July 17, Rosier has hit .447 (17-for-38) with 10 RBI and seven steals.

Groome, 23, is 4-5 with a 3.59 ERA (37 ER/92.2 IP) in 19 appearances (17 starts) between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester this season. Ranked as one of Boston’s top prospects by both Baseball America (No. 13) and MLB.com (No. 11), the left-hander is 12-22 with a 4.46 ERA (127 ER/256.0 IP) in 60 career minor league appearances (58 starts) since being selected by Boston in the first round (12th overall) in the 2016 First-Year Player Draft.

MLB Trade Deadline: Sox Make Moves

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BOSTON – The Boston Red Sox traded catcher and team mainstay Christian Vázquez to the Houston Astros in exchange for minor league infielder/outfielder Enmanuel Valdez and minor league outfielder Wilyer Abreu. The move coincided with the Sox activating pitcher Rich Hill and recalling catcher Ronaldo Hernandez from Triple-A Worcester.

Vázquez, 31, has hit .262 (610-for-2,329) with 54 home runs in 698 Major League games, all with the Red Sox. Selected by Boston in the ninth round of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft, he ranks fifth in franchise history with 651 games at catcher. Vázquez caught the final pitch of the 2018 World Series, as the Red Sox went 9-1 in his 10 starts during their Postseason run. In the 2021 American League Division Series, he ended Game 3 against the Tampa Bay Rays with a 13th-inning home run, the latest walk-off homer in Boston’s Postseason history. Since the start of 2019, Vázquez leads the majors in games caught (371).

Valdez, 23, is ranked by Baseball America as the Astros’ No. 12 prospect. The left-handed hitter has split the 2022 season between Double-A Corpus Christi and Triple-A Sugar Land, batting .327 (107-for-327) in 82 games with a 1.016 OPS, 26 doubles, one triple, 21 home runs, 77 RBI, and 66 runs scored. This season, he has made 36 starts at second base, 17 at third base, 14 in left field, and eight at designated hitter. Born in the Dominican Republic, Valdez was signed by the Astros as an international free agent in July 2015. He is one of only four minor leaguers in 2022 with at least a .300 batting average, .400 on-base percentage, and 20 home runs.

Abreu, 23, is ranked by Baseball America as the Astros’ No. 21 prospect. The left-handed hitter has spent the entire 2022 season with Corpus Christi, playing in 89 games and batting .249 (82-for-329) with 24 doubles, 15 home runs, 54 RBI, 81 runs scored, 78 walks, a .399 on-base percentage, an .858 OPS, and 23 stolen bases in 24 attempts. He has made 44 starts in center field this season, as well as 22 in left field, 17 in right field, and five at designated hitter. Among all minor leaguers, Abreu ranks third in walks and is tied for third in runs scored. Born in Venezuela, he signed with the Astros as an international free agent in July 2017.

Hernandez, 24, is batting .279 (81-for-290) with 23 doubles, 10 home runs, and 45 RBI in 74 games this season, including .326 (56-for-172) with an .876 OPS, 23 extra-base hits, and 29 RBI in 43 games beginning June 4. He has made 48 starts at catcher this season, throwing out 10 of 46 attempted base stealers (21.7%). Hernandez was recalled on April 19 but did not appear in that night’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays before being optioned to Worcester the following day. His first appearance will be his Major League debut.

Hill, 42, was placed on the 15-Day Injured List on July 2 with a left knee sprain. The left-hander made one rehab start, allowing one run over 3.0 innings on July 28 for Double-A Portland at Hartford. Hill is 4-4 with a 4.20 ERA (33 ER/70.2 IP) in 15 starts for Boston this season, allowing three earned runs or fewer in 12 of his outings.

On Monday, the Red Sox acquired outfielder Tommy Pham from the Cincinnati Reds, in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations.

Pham, 34, is batting .238 (81-for-340) with 11 home runs and 39 RBI in 91 games for the Reds this season, making 82 starts in left field. The right-handed hitter ranks third among Major League left fielders with seven outfield assists. Against left-handed pitching this season, Pham has hit .290 (27-for-93) with an .833 OPS, four doubles, and four home runs.

Selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 16th round of the 2006 First-Year Player Draft out of Durango High School (NV), Pham has hit .261 (717-for-2,743) with 108 home runs and 339 RBI in 823 games for the Cardinals (2014-18), Tampa Bay Rays (2018-19), San Diego Padres (2020-21), and Reds (2022). He has played in 15 Postseason games for the Cardinals (2015), Rays (2019), and Padres (2020), hitting .352 (19-for-

Bill Russell (1934-2022)

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MERCER ISLAND/BOSTON – Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell died Sunday at the age of 88, his family announced.

Russell won 11 NBA championships and also became the first Black head coach in NBA history.

“Bill’s wife, Jeannine, and his many friends and family thank you for keeping Bill in your prayers. Perhaps you’ll relive one or two of the golden moments he gave us, or recall his trademark laugh as he delighted in explaining the real story behind those moments unfolded,” his family said in a statement. “And we hope each of us can find a new way to act or speak up with Bill’s uncompromising, dignified and always constructive commitment to principle.”

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued the following statement today regarding the passing of Bill Russell:

“Bill Russell was the greatest champion in all of team sports,” said Silver.  “The countless accolades that he earned for his storied career with the Boston Celtics – including a record 11 championships and five MVP awards – only begin to tell the story of Bill’s immense impact on our league and broader society.

“Bill stood for something much bigger than sports: the values of equality, respect and inclusion that he stamped into the DNA of our league. At the height of his athletic career, Bill advocated vigorously for civil rights and social justice, a legacy he passed down to generations of NBA players who followed in his footsteps. Through the taunts, threats and unthinkable adversity, Bill rose above it all and remained true to his belief that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity.

“For nearly 35 years since Bill completed his trailblazing career as the league’s first Black head coach, we were fortunate to see him at every major NBA event, including the NBA Finals, where he presented the Bill Russell Trophy to the Finals MVP.

“I cherished my friendship with Bill and was thrilled when he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. I often called him basketball’s Babe Ruth for how he transcended time. Bill was the ultimate winner and consummate teammate, and his influence on the NBA will be felt forever. We send our deepest condolences to his wife, Jeannine, his family and his many friends.”

“To be the greatest champion in your sport, to revolutionize the way the game is played, and to be a societal leader all at once seems unthinkable, but that is who Bill Russell was,” said the Boston Celtics organization in a prepared statement.

“Bill was a champion unlike any other in the history of team sports – an 11-time NBA champion, including winning eight consecutive titles, a five-time MVP, an Olympic Gold Medalist and the NBA’s first Black head coach.

“Bill Russell‘s DNA is woven through every element of the Celtics organization, from the relentless pursuit of excellence, to the celebration of team rewards over individual glory, to a commitment to social justice and civil rights off the court.

“Our thoughts are with his family as we mourn his passing and celebrate his enormous legacy in basketball, Boston, and beyond.”

Former President Barack presented Russell with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011, the highest honor for American civilians. “As tall as Bill Russell stood, his legacy rises far higher—both as a player and as a person,” said Obama in a tweet Sunday.

“Perhaps more than anyone else, Bill knew what it took to win and what it took to lead,” President Obama added. “On the court, he was the greatest champion in basketball history. Off of it, he was a civil rights trailblazer—marching with Dr. King and standing with Muhammad Ali.

“For decades, Bill endured insults and vandalism, but never let it stop him from speaking up for what’s right. I learned so much from the way he played, the way he coached, and the way he lived his life. Michelle and I send our love to Bill’s family, and everyone who admired him.”

Funeral services will be announce soon, Russell’s family said.

TL’s Sunday Sports Notes | July 31

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State of the Commonwealth Sports

By TERRY LYONS

BOSTON – From June 19th to 27th, all was well in the Nation of Sox. After a very well documented — call it crummy (10-19) — start to the 2022 season, the Boston Red Sox battled back to the .500 mark by June 5th at Oakland. While still mired in 4th place in the American League East, Boston clawed their way to a (35-30) record when – on June 17th – Sox SP Michael Wacha out-dueled his former St. Louis Cardinals teammate, Adam Wainwright, 6-5, for Wacha’s fifth victory (5-1).

After dropping a game to the Cards the following day, Boston went on to win seven games in a row and climb to second place in the AL East, 11 games over the coveted .500 mark.

As the calendar turned to July, all hell broke loose.

As this is being written from Fenway Park on a gorgeous New England Saturday afternoon, Boston (50-52) dropped a game to Milwaukee, is 7-19 in the month of July, and that includes a 3-13 mark over their previous 16 games. The not so secret sauce is the fact that since Uncle Sam’s birthday, Boston is playing teams with records plus-.500 up until August 3 when they face AL Central cellar-dweller Kansas City.

Combined with the tougher comp, a slew of devastating injuries crashed down on the Sox. In no particular order:

  • June 12 – SP Nathan Eovaldi – lower back pain
  • July 2 – SP Rich Hill – left knee sprain
  • July 5 – SP Michael Wacha – right shoulder inflammation
  • July 9 – INF Christian Arroyo – groin strain after bout with COVID+
  • July 14 – 2B Trevor Story – right hand contusion (hairline fracture)
  • July 19 – SP Chris Sale – left hand, finger fracture
  • July 19 – J.D. Martinez – back spasms
  • July 23 – 3B Rafael Devers – right hamstring inflammation
  • 13 Red Sox players were on the IL at one point

In their place, Boston was forced to call-up “F-Troop” from their Triple A Worcester WooSox farm team, and the Red Sox became the Red SAAAwx for much of the month. Starting pitching prospects, a la Brayan Bello (0-3), Josh Winckowski (3-5) and Kutter Crawford (3-3) were thrown into the deep end of the drowning pool.

With the cumulative effect, the ‘22 Red Sox started to resemble a memorable team from 60 years ago, with comparisons to the expansion New York Mets.

The Sox are a calamity, whether it be fly balls falling between three players in the infield, throwing, fielding and mental errors costing runs, pitchers failing to properly cover first base on routine ground balls to the right side of the infield, batted baseballs lost in the sun or twilight gleaming in both right and center field at Fenway. You name it, and it happened to the home team.

The lowlight was a July 22 inside the park home run by Toronto’s Ramiel Tapia during a 28-5 beat-down of the Red Sox by the Blue Jays, and a score falling two runs shy of the MLB record for most runs scored in a single game.

Overall, it seemed the Sox fell apart when the long-expected return of their ace – Chris Sale – went flat after an inning as a come-backer broke the fifth finger on his pitching hand. The injury sucked the life from the team, as Story, Martinez and Devers were all absent from the line-up.

Thus is the “State of the Red Sox,” as of July 30.

HERE NOW, THE NOTES: If there’s one thing the New England fan base can do better than any other in the land, it’s turn the page and change with the seasons. Just as the aforementioned Sox fade to the bottom of the AL East, the footballs are out at Gillette Stadium as NFL training camps began this week. Ladies and gentlemen, we give you the 2022 New England Patriots.

On Day One of Patriots’ training camp, all eyes were on second-year QB Mac Jones who appeared to be all business, in great condition and prepared for the challenges ahead of the Patriots team in transition from its many waltzes to the Super Bowl. While coach Bill Belichick and the Pats are accustomed to being the favorites in the AFC East, this year, they’ll be fortunate to win 10 games (as they did a year ago) and finish second to the ‘21 division champion Buffalo Bills. In many circles, it is the Bills, not the Patriots, who are destined for AFC glory and a trip to the Super Bowl.

Belichick is beginning his 23rd season with the Patriots as the team avoids any sense of the word, “rebuilding,” but does face uncertainty at many key offensive positions. Meanwhile, a look to the south and AFC East rival, Miami, has stocked up with arguably the best wide-out in the NFL in former KC Chief Tyreek Hill to pair with second-year QB Tua Tagovailoa. The Dolphins won nine games a year ago and will fight it out with New England for a possible Wild Card berth, for sure.

Meanwhile, there’s a lot of news and speculation as the NBA off-season hits midstream. For the Boston Celtics, all eyes are on Nets F Kevin Durantwho has asked for a trade from Brooklyn and reports have the Celtics offering some unknown package of players (with one piece likely to be F Jaylen Brown).

Of course, the Celtics made the NBA Finals but simply saw the fatigue of prior match-ups vs. Brooklyn, Milwaukee and Miami finally take their toll against Jayson Tatum and the team. Boston made one major move to acquire a true point guard in former Rookie of the Year Malcolm Brogdan for Milwaukee who the Cs acquired from Indiana in a multi-player trade in July.

The allure of an offensive threat, like Durant to pair with Tatum, is attractive to the Celtics and their fan base, but the lack of defensive intensity shown by Durant in the playoffs makes one wonder if his Achilles’ injury is limiting his defensive mobility against quicker players.

The foundation of the Celtics is “Team Defense” and the questions is whether Durant can buy-in? Brown’s contributions to that defense might be too costly a loss, never mind if 2021-22 Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smartbecomes part of the deal.

On the ice, the Boston Bruins are another team, like the Patriots, in total transition. Gone is goalkeeper Tuukka Rask, while Brad Marchand injured his hip and out for six months since his late May surgery. Then, there’s the uncertain status of forwards Patrice Bergeron and un-signed David Pastrňák, the club’s two best players.

On defense, more injuries and surgeries. Charlie McAvoy and Matt Grzelcyk will be out until late November after shoulder surgeries. Mike Reillyis recovering from May ankle surgery.

In goal, Jeremy Swayman and Linus Ullmark will share the netminding duties, trying to replace the talents of Vezina Trophy-worthy and former winner Rask has officially retired after some back-and-forth during the pandemic.

All the while, Boston is welcoming new coach, Jim Montgomery, to a team that is deep with talent but largely uncertain of its short term destiny.

If you take a step back and look at all four major pro sports, it’s a one for-four (.250) average for sure-fire success and that is only the Celtics.

DIAMOND DUST-UPs: Trade winds are blowing in Major League Baseball prior to Tuesday’s (August 2 – 6pm ET) trading deadline. Of course, the big fish in the MLB pond are Washington’s Juan Soto, who turned down a megabucks deal of 15-years and $440 million, and possibly Boston’s J.D. Martinez. The Seattle Mariners already acquired former Cincy ace Luis Castillo in a deal for a ton of top prospects. The terms “Buyers” and “Sellers” will be over-used this week.

Others MLB players reportedly on the block:

  • Josh Bell, 1B, Washington Nationals
  • Wilson Contreras, C, Chicago Cubs
  • Ian Happ, OF, Chicago Cubs
  • Tyler Mahle, SP, Cincinnati Reds
  • Frankie Montas, SP, Oakland Athletics
  • Noah Syndergaard, SP, Los Angeles Angels

That leads us to the extremely slim chance of the LA Angeles moving Shohei Ohtani before the deadline. The multi-talented Ohtani would be a game-changer as a starting pitcher and DH for any contender, but the question would be: “At what cost?”