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Patriots: Diggs Stays Mumm

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FOXBOROUGH – At the final practice of Patriots mandatory minicamp in Massachusetts on Tuesday, newly acquired wide receiver Stefon Diggs spoke with reporters but did not address a viral video that has inspired speculation about his future with the team.

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In the video, posted to social media, Diggs is seen enjoying himself on a boat with three bikini-clad women that included top-selling rapper Cardi B, but he’s also seen brandishing a plastic bag filled with a mysterious pink substance.

The 31-year-old Diggs has refrained from speaking about the incident, and did so again Tuesday despite some observers wondering if the four-time Pro Bowler could be in hot water with either his new team or the NFL at large.

First-year Patriots coach Mike Vrabel spoke recently on the importance of players making “good decisions.”

“I kind of keep my personal life personal,” Diggs said. “I had a conversation with Vrabel, obviously, and I’m going to echo everything that he said. Hope everyone makes good decisions. I had some conversations with people in the building as well. So, everything else is everything else, and the particulars are all internal.”

A First-Team All-Pro in 2020, Diggs signed a three-year, $69 million contract with the Patriots in March.

He has described his rapport with Vrabel as being positive and expressed admiration for Vrabel’s championship pedigree.

“I’m a huge fan of him,” Diggs said. “I can’t wait to play for him. He’s got that itch that you want to run through a wall for him. I look forward to it. Me and him go back and forth in practice, and I’m not even participating.”

A year ago, Diggs played in just eight games for the Houston Texans due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament, breaking a string of six straight 1,000-yard seasons to begin his career. He has amassed 857 receptions for 10,491 yards and 70 touchdowns during his 10-year career split among the Minnesota Vikings (2015-19), Buffalo Bills (2020-23) and Texans (2024).

–Field Level Media

Sox Call Up Roman Anthony

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BOSTON – (Staff and Wire Service Report) -First, it was infielder/utility man Kristian Campbell. Next, was infielder Marcelo Mayer. Today, it was the third amigo in outfielder Roman Anthony, touted as the No. 1 prospect in Major League Baseball.

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The Boston Red Sox called up Anthony from Triple-A Worcester ahead of tonight’s home game against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Anthony will start in right field and bat fifth for the Red Sox tonight. The left-handed hitter takes the spot that belonged to Wilyer Abreu, who was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left oblique strain.

Anthony, the team’s second-round pick in the 2022 MLB Draft, forged a .288/.423/.491 slash line in 58 games for Worcester this season. He posted 10 homers and 29 RBIs in 265 plate appearances — highlighted by a grand slam on Saturday that flew well over the right-center wall and was estimated at 497 feet.

“We’re trying to win ballgames,” said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. “The kid has done an amazing job throughout (prospect development) getting ready for this moment. We’re excited. It’s a big day for the organization … we’ll use him the right way and we’ll help him with the adjustments that comes with being a big-leaguer.”

The Red Sox (32-35) now have elevated all three of their elite hitting prospects to the bigs. Second baseman/outfielder Campbell broke spring training with Boston and, after a red-hot start, has settled in with a .233 average, six homers and 20 RBIs in 58 games.

Mayer was called up two weeks ago when third basemen Alex Bregman went on the injured list with a quadriceps issue. Installed at third base where he had little experience, Mayer has posted a .222/.282/.361 slash line with one homer and two errors in 12 games.

Abreu ranks second on the Red Sox with 13 homers, complementing a .245 batting average with 32 RBIs.

–Field Level Media

Fox Burns-Up in PGA Tour Playoff

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TORONTO – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – New Zealand’s Ryan Fox had a dynamic putt to extend the RBC Canadian Open and later used an awesome rip from the fairway to help secure a victory.

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Fox birdied the fourth playoff hole to win a showdown with Sam Burns and capture the tournament Sunday north of the border.

Fox notched a 4-under-par 66 in the final round, forcing the playoff with a birdie putt from about 17 feet on the last hole of regulation, on the way to his second career victory. Both triumphs have come across his last four tournaments.

Burns shot 62 to set the clubhouse lead and then waited a couple of hours in an attempt to notch his first PGA Tour victory in more than two years.

Burns and Fox finished at 18-under 262 at the North Course of TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley.

The duo played the par-5 18th repeatedly in the playoff until a winner was determined. They each recorded pars the first three times through.

“Sam and I had a bit of a pillow fight there for three holes,” Fox said. “It was some pretty average golf from both of us, some average putting.”

Fox drilled his second shot to the green on what became the last playoff hole, while Burns had an approach shot roll off the green.

“That shot I hit on 18 with the 3-wood was probably the best shot I ever hit,” Fox said. “It would have been nice to make (the eagle putt), but hey, I’ll take it.”

Fox’s tee shot on the first playoff hole was in a bunker off the fairway, but Burns’ potential winning putt from inside 6 feet was off the mark. Fox left a 12-footer to win short on the second playoff hole; Burns left his approach shot short on the third playoff hole, but recovered.

Fox had a bogey-free round, rallying with birdies on Nos. 14 and 15 to pull within a stroke. He played the 18th by lofting his second shot less than 175 yards down the fairway — clearly aiming to tie and trying to be in good position with his approach — and it worked out.

“I hit some great shots down the stretch in regulation,” Fox said. “Probably got a little lucky on that putt on 18 in regulation, snuck in the left door.”

Taiwan’s Kevin Yu posted 66 for third place at 17 under.

Cameron Young (65) and Matt McCarty (67) tied for fourth at 16 under. The trio of Andrew Putnam (67), South Korea’s Byeong Hun An (66) and Italy’s Matteo Manassero (69) tied for sixth at 15 under.

Burns had nine birdies and one bogey. The birdies included five consecutive holes to begin the back nine, and he tacked on one more on the final hole.

“I knew I needed to make birdie there to have a chance,” Burns said during his layoff prior to the playoff. “I knew that was important to make that one.”

With the last pairing just a few holes into the final round, a dozen golfers were within two shots of the lead.

Fox and Manassero began the day sharing a one-shot lead.

Ireland’s Shane Lowry, with an early tee time, stormed to the lead with an eagle on the par-5 first hole (a 4-foot putt) followed with three consecutive birdies. He was undone by playing the last 10 holes in 2 over, ending the round with 67 and the tournament at 13 under.

Yu gained the lead briefly with an eagle on the par-4 second hole on a shot from 91 yards out. He got going again with birdies on three of the last five holes, including the 18th.

“I’m glad I finished great with three birdies in the last few holes,” Yu said. “… Proud of how we fought today, and hopefully coming back next year will have better results.”

Young, who began the round with an eagle, said he thought he was in ideal position until his only bogey came on the last hole when his second shot went awry.

“I couldn’t have hit two better shots on the last hole,” Young said. “I don’t hit 3-wood that far, and it’s blowing straight into the wind, and it decided to bounce all the way to the back woods. I thought in the air I was going to have about a 12-footer to win the tournament, and it ended up somewhere I was going to struggle to make par, let alone make a 4. Pretty upset.”

Second-round leader Cameron Champ was back on track with a 67, putting him at 14 under.

–Field Level Media

Can Indiana Steal Another One?

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OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma City Thunder have been in this position before.

So, have the Indiana Pacers.

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The teams meet in Game 2 of the NBA Finals tonight in Oklahoma City after the Pacers pulled off a stunner in Game 1.

Indiana opened the series with a 111-110 victory Thursday, when Tyrese Haliburton’s last-second shot put the Pacers ahead for the first time in the game.

The average margin of victory in those rebound victories is 20.5 points per game, though one was decided by two points and another by five.

Oklahoma City lost back-to-back games just twice during the regular season.

“The playoffs take you to the limit,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. “They put your back against the wall — in games, in series. If you make it this far, you have to endure to do that. It gives you rich experiences that you can draw on. The biggest experience we’ve had is understanding that every game’s a new game. The most important of the series is always the next one, regardless of the outcome.”

The Pacers have won their first game in each round.

The average margin of victory in those rebound victories is 20.5 points per game, though one was decided by two points and another by five.

Oklahoma City lost back-to-back games just twice during the regular season.

“The playoffs take you to the limit,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. “They put your back against the wall — in games, in series. If you make it this far, you have to endure to do that. It gives you rich experiences that you can draw on. The biggest experience we’ve had is understanding that every game’s a new game. The most important of the series is always the next one, regardless of the outcome.”

The Pacers have won their first game in each round.

In the last two rounds, the Pacers won the first two games of their series on the road as they have become accustomed to thriving in the underdog role.

“That’s been our thing the whole year, even at the beginning of the playoffs,” Indiana’s Obi Toppin said. “Everybody got the other team winning every single game. We just go out there and always do what we do.”

Haliburton said the Pacers have drawn motivation from last season’s playoff run, where they beat the Bucks and Knicks in the first two rounds before they were swept by the Celtics in the Eastern Conference finals.

“You come into the year with all the talk around how it was a fluke,” Haliburton said. “You have an unsuccessful first couple months and now it’s easy to for everyone to clown you and talk about you in a negative way, and I think as a group we take everything personal. … I feel like that’s the DNA of this group.”

Oklahoma City forced 25 turnovers in Game 1 — 20 in the first half — but scored just 11 points off those turnovers, helping open the door for Indiana’s comeback from a 15-point fourth-quarter deficit.

“We can’t turn the ball over that much,” Haliburton said. “We have to do a better job of being in gaps, rebounding, all over the floor.”

–Field Level Media

TL’s Sunday Sports Notes | June 8

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By TERRY LYONS, Editor of Digital Sports Desk

BOSTON – While your favorite columnist was not able to pack the bags and attend the 2025 NBA Finals, his eyes and all eyes will be on the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers in a series that is bound to go six or seven games.

The Pacers did exactly what they needed to do and that was steal a game at OKC, and they did so in grand fashion. Tyrese Haliburton’s jump shot with only 0.3 seconds remaining was the only time the Pacers led the game as they marked the final score of 111-110.

OKC’s amazing (MVP) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 38 points in defeat.

Now, for some juice: The New York Times published a well written, well-illustrated and well-timed article on one of the NBA’s all-time greats. No, not an all-time great player but a photographer of all-time great players, in Nathaniel S Butler, aka “Nat.”

Recalling a photograph taken after Boston won the 2024 NBA title, Celtics’ star Jayson Tatum said, “He puts the time and the work in. He’s been doing this longer than some of us have been alive, and he’s captured some of the most iconic photos that we all grew up seeing in magazines and online.”

Putting the time and work in might be the understatement of Tatum’s incredible career. The east coast based Butler, along with west coast based Andrew D. Bernstein, became the founding tent poles of a division of the league’s headquarters office – NBA Photos – back in 1985-86.

It was then, under the guidance of NBA Commissioner David Stern, head of NBA Properties, Rick Welts and head of NBA Communications Brian McIntyre, that NBA Photos got the green light. WWYI knows because it was on my watch that we baked the idea for basketball and launched the stock photo agency which was eventually run by NBA Entertainment and then sold to Getty Images, Inc. at a serious profit for the league and its team owners.

Butler’s back story is almost as interesting as his career as a top notch sports (not just basketball) photographer. As a senior at St. John’s University in New York, he became the league’s “Second-ever Intern,” working out of the 645 Fifth Avenue/Olympic Tower HQ in New York City. While his daytime duties included compiling vast amounts of news articles and information for circulation to the NBA execs, the teams and media, his interest in photography quickly surfaced and he was assigned to cover important press conferences and a small but then growing number of games in New York and New Jersey.

While Bernstein was shooting with color strobes on 35mm film at the two venues in Los Angeles (The Fabulous Forum – LA Lakers) and (The LA Sports Arena – LA Clippers), Butler was shooting mostly Black & White action photography to stock the non-existent league archives while supplying NBA Today and hoop with great photography. As the demand grew and NBA Photos was launched, Butler was able to gain more and more access and equipment (better Nikon cameras/lenses and sets of strobes for Madison Square Garden and The Meadowlands). While he assisted Sports Illustrated greats like Walter Iooss Jr., Manny Milan, and John Iacono, and continued to help his father run “Lazy Bones,” a fishing boat business based in Montauk Point, Long Island, Butler photographed more and more NBA basketball.

By 1986, we were able to go full speed ahead with NBA Photos and Butler came on board fulltime. This year now marks 39 straight NBA Finals for the man everyone simply calls “Nat.”

His new “coffee table” book entitled, “Courtside: Forty Years of NBA Photography,” is a must buy.

On it’s landing page on Amazon books, the description reads: “Forty years of stunning basketball photography—both on the court and off—from one of the sport’s greatest chroniclers. This handsome coffee table book is the perfect gift for the basketball fan in your life.

“As one of the NBA’s premier photographers, Nathaniel S Butler has shot it all. From iconic moments like Ray Allen’s corner three for Miami to intimate portraits of Bill Russell of the Celtics and the NBA@50 and NBA@75 teams to Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and Steph Curry clinching championships, if it was a history-making basketball moment, Butler was there.”

At a later date, we’ll all do a deeper dive into the details of NBA Photos becoming a major wing of the NBA, NBA Entertainment and as a service to all 30 NBA teams. By the time the 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend comes around, we’ll be approaching 40 years for the crew.

NHL Commissioner Gary B. Bettman and Florida’s Aleksander Barkov just last year (Getty Images)

HERE NOW, THE NOTES: If Games 1 and 2 are any indication, the 2025 Stanley Cup Final (note the NHL states Final) (as in a singular event) just might go seven games. The Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers are tied at 1-game apiece as the series makes the short trip (3,014 miles by car) from Edmonton to South Florida for Game 3. Both of the opening games in Edmonton went into OT, with the Oilers winning Game 1, 4-3, while the Panthers evened it up at 1-1 in games with a 5-4, Double OT thriller on Friday. No matter which teams wins Game 3 (Monday), the fourth game (Thursday, June 12th) will be quite a war. Stay tuned and 2025 will prove the pundits wrong as sports fans head to their TVs to watch great competition in both the NHL and NBA, no matter the size of market nor the origination of the country (Canada).

TIDBITS & NUGGETS: A whole lotta news coming from off days at the NBA Finals. Commissioner Adam Silver was quoted as saying the NBA is considering an international themed NBA All-Star Game for the 2026 game. The serious consideration comes from another couple years of ho-hum competition at the annual starcast while the NHL enjoyed a bump in interest with its 4 Nations event at this past winter’s event. Silver also noted the NBA ASG will be aired by NBC Sports next year and the schedule has the game on a Sunday when morning coverage of the Winter Olympic Games might lead to an open window midday and primetime Olympics viewing that Sunday night. Not a bad idea.

By the way, Silver took some blowback on social media and general coverage with the fact the NBA did not decorate the OKC Thunder basketball floor with NBA Finals decals and other festive, event-markings.

Maybe letting the home team decide what goes where and placing the Thunder and Pacers at centerstage and letting the game of basketball provide the entertainment is actually a great idea by the NBA. Many media members and fans were clamoring over the need for the bigger market teams to play in the NBA Finals, but as Indiana and OKC progressed, the more educated basketball fans eagerly awaited the match-up. The Pacers and Tyrese Haliburton came through in a big way.

THIS JEST IN: Multiple media reports from New York are stating that New York Knickerbockers player exit interviews were at the root of the club’s firing of head coach Tom Thibideau. Seems the season-long rumors of Thibs playing his starters/veterans too many minutes came back to bite him. NY Knicks team owner/governor Jim Dolan and team GM Leon Rose conducted the exit interviews, according to Yahoo. Although Jason Kidd has been rumored for the job, logic points to Mike Malone who was fired by Denver as the 2025 season came to a close. Kidd is currently un der contract with Dallas and has the draft rights to Cooper Flagg in his mitts.

CAN’T MAKE IT UP: Former NFL defensive back Adam “Pacman” Jones is in trouble once again. Pacman was arrested early Saturday morning in Cincinnati, Ohio. Jones, 41, was booked just before 2:00am by a Kenton County, Ohio jail, according to the court records. He was arrested by the Covington Police Department and charged with alcohol intoxication in a public place, disorderly conduct, and assault of a police officer. Jones posted a $10,000 bond and was released around 11:30am Saturday.

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Saturday’s arrest in Covington, which is across the river from Cincinnati, marked the fourth time since 2021 that Jones was arrested. He has now been booked on a public intoxication charge three years in a row.

The recent charges pale in comparison to a 2007 incident during the NBA All-Star weekend in Las Vegas.

In that incident (in which many tried to blame on the NBA gathering), Arvin Kenti Edwards, (then) 32, of Renton, Washington entered a no-contest plea in the case, and was been sentenced by Clark County District Judge Valorie Vega to serve 24 to 60 months for one count of attempted murder and a consecutive term of 24 to 60 months for the use of a deadly weapon. Edwards could have faced as many as 186 years in prison if convicted of all seven felony charges initially filed against him after the shooting.

The charges included three counts of attempted murder, three counts of battery with a deadly weapon causing substantial bodily harm and one count of being an ex-felon in possession of a firearm. According to police, Jones, then a cornerback for the Cincinnati Bengals, instigated a melee that led to shootings Feb. 19, 2007, outside the Minxx Gentlemen’s Club and Lounge.

According to the Las Vegas Sun, Jones was “making it rain,” or throwing wads of dollar bills from a large plastic trash bag onto a stage. He then became angry when the strippers picked up the money, and a brawl broke out, police said.

Pacers Stun Thunder in OKC

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OKLAHOMA CITY – Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton hit a 21-foot pull-up jumper in the final second on Thursday as the Indiana Pacers completed a stunning comeback for a 111-110 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

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The Pacers hadn’t led in the game until Halliburton drained the shot with 0.3 seconds remaining.

The best-of-seven series resumes with Game 2 in Oklahoma City on Sunday.

Indiana trailed by 15 early in the fourth quarter before chipping away at the Thunder’s lead. Andrew Nembhard and Myles Turner each scored eight points in the period.

The Pacers cut the deficit to one with 48.6 seconds remaining on Pascal Siakam’s putback following a missed 3-point attempt by Nembhard.

After Haliburton’s shot, Oklahoma City tried to lob inside, but Siakam batted it away as time expired to end the game.

Indiana outscored the Thunder 35-25 in the fourth quarter.

Oklahoma City forced plenty of turnovers, especially early. However, the Thunder couldn’t take advantage often enough, scoring just 11 points on Indiana’s 25 giveaways. The Pacers turned the ball over 20 times in the first half alone.

Siakam led the Pacers with 19 points and added 10 rebounds. Obi Toppin had 17 points off the bench, Turner scored 15 and Nembhard had 14. Haliburton finished with 14 points, 10 rebounds and six assists.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 38 to lead the Thunder, shooting 14 of 30 from the field.

Jalen Williams contributed 17 points on 6-of-19 shooting while Chet Holmgren was just 2 of 9 for six points.

Indiana hit 47.6 percent from the floor to Oklahoma City’s 39.8 percent.

Early in the fourth quarter, Indiana was barely hanging on.

The Pacers, down by 13, missed three consecutive shots on one possession.

After the last of those, the Pacers’ T.J. McConnell was inbounding underneath Indiana’s basket and hurriedly heaved the ball to midcourt.

Instead of a teammate being there to receive the inbounds, Williams raced to the ball, catching it on the run and delivering a thunderous dunk to extend Oklahoma City’s lead to a game-high 15 points. The score was 94-79 with 9:42 remaining.

But Indiana wasn’t about to go away.

The Pacers ripped off a 15-4 run to stay within striking distance, and then they surged ahead late.

Oklahoma City hit just one field goal in the final four minutes, giving the Pacers the opening to come back.

–Field Level Media

NHL: Bruins Name Strum Head Coach

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Boston Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney that Marco Sturm was named the 30th head coach of the Boston Bruins.

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“We’re proud to name Marco as the 30th Head Coach of the Boston Bruins and welcome him, Astrid, Mason, and Kaydie to Boston,” said General Manager Don Sweeney. “Throughout this process, our goal was to identify a coach who could uphold our strong defensive foundation while helping us evolve offensively. We were also looking for a communicator and leader – someone who connects with players, develops young talent, and earns the respect of the room. Marco impressed us at every step with his preparation, clarity, and passion. His path – playing for multiple NHL teams, coaching internationally, and leading at both the AHL and NHL levels – has shaped a well-rounded coach who’s earned this opportunity. As a former Bruin, he understands what this team means to the city and our fans. We’re embracing a new direction with Marco behind the bench and are confident his energy, standards, and commitment to a competitive, hard-nosed brand of hockey reflect exactly what Bruins hockey should be.”
“I’m incredibly honored to be named head coach of the Boston Bruins,” said Sturm. “I want to thank Charlie Jacobs and the Jacobs family, Cam Neely, and Don Sweeney for trusting me with this opportunity. Boston has always held a special place in my heart, and I know how much this team means to the city and to our fans. I’ve felt that passion as a player, and I can’t wait to be behind the bench and feel it again. I’m excited to get to work and do everything I can to help this team succeed.”
Sturm, 46, served as head coach of the AHL’s Ontario Reign for the past three seasons (2022-25). Under Sturm, the team compiled an overall record of 119-80-11-6 and made three consecutive playoff appearances. Prior to his time in Ontario, Sturm spent four seasons as an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Kings from 2018-22. In his final year behind the bench with Los Angeles, the Kings earned their first Stanley Cup playoff berth since 2018 and posted a 99-point regular-season (44-27-11).
Before joining the Kings organization, Sturm served as head coach and general manager for the German Men’s National Team from 2015-18. In 2018, Sturm led Germany to a silver-medal finish in the 2018 Olympic Games in Pyeongchang, becoming the first German team to ever appear in the gold-medal game and the first German team to make the Olympic podium since 1976. Sturm’s coaching tenure with Germany was additionally highlighted by a Deutschland Cup title in 2015 and back-to-back quarterfinal appearances (2016, 2017) at the IIHF Men’s World Championship, the best final placement for Germany since 2011.
As a player, Sturm skated in 938 career NHL games with Florida, Vancouver, Los Angeles, Boston and San Jose from 1997-2012, recording 242 goals and 245 assists for 487 points with a plus-59 rating. He scored the game-winning overtime goal for the Bruins’ 2-1 win over the Flyers at the 2010 Winter Classic at Fenway Park. The Dingolfing, Germany native was originally selected by San Jose in the first round (21st overall) of the 1996 NHL Entry Draft. He leads all German players for most NHL games played and ranks second for career goals and career points. Internationally, he represented Germany at three Olympic Games (1998, 2002, 2010), four IIHF Men’s World Championships (1997, 2001, 2004, 2008) and the 2004 World Cup of Hockey.

Red Sox Try to Move Forward

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BOSTON – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – For manager Alex Cora and the Boston Red Sox, it’s all about moving forward.

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Following a weekend series win in Atlanta, the Red Sox (29-32) look to continue down the right track when they begin a three-game home series against the Los Angeles Angels.

Garrett Crochet pitched the Red Sox to a 3-1 Sunday win to clinch the series over the Braves, striking out a season-high 12 over seven innings of one-run ball. A three-run double by Trevor Story in the first inning proved to be all the support the left-hander would need.

Climbing out of a five-game skid with the series victory was a start, but there’s plenty more room to grow, especially with younger players such as Marcelo Mayer and Kristian Campbell playing everyday roles.

“Now we need more,” Cora said. “We have to be better. I know we’re young, but we expect better from this group. I think the expectations are high for this organization. We’ve got to put everything behind us.”

Richard Fitts (0-2, 2.70 ERA) is back in the Red Sox rotation, having been activated from the injured list (right pectoral strain) to make a Tuesday start against the Milwaukee Brewers. He pitched three innings of scoreless, two-hit ball in Boston’s fourth straight loss at the time.

Monday will mark his fifth start this season and the first of his career against the Angels.

The Red Sox placed another righty on the injured list in Justin Slaten (right shoulder inflammation) before Sunday’s game, recalling Luis Guerrero from Triple-A Worcester.

“Just a matter of getting ahead of it and taking care of it before something major could happen,” Slaten said.

Cora had also planned to give Campbell his first start at first base, but Abraham Toro continued to swing the bat well in Atlanta. He went 6-for-11 in the series.

“Toro’s pushing the envelope,” Cora said. “He’s putting up good at-bats.”

The Angels suffered a 4-2 Sunday loss at the Cleveland Guardians, as they were no-hit through five innings and wound up dropping their third straight series. They now have a series losing streak in Cleveland that dates back to 2013.

Despite another series loss, the return of three-time American League MVP Mike Trout, who missed almost a full month with a bone bruise on his left knee, was a big lift.

Trout went 3-for-4 with an RBI double in Saturday’s 7-5 loss and had a pinch-hit RBI on Sunday. He was hitting just .179 in 29 games before the injury.

“It’s just awesome watching him play,” said Angels starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks, who played college baseball in New England at Dartmouth College. “Growing up as a fan of the game, it’s really cool being around him every day.”

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Trout was out of Sunday’s starting lineup after back-to-back days as the designated hitter, but was called upon as a pinch-hitter and delivered an RBI single.

“He’ll be back in there when we get to Boston,” Angels manager Ron Washington said.

The Angels hand the ball to 35-year-old lefty Tyler Anderson (2-2, 3.39), who has made just four career starts against Boston after spending the first seven years of his career in the National League. He is 1-1 with a 5.30 career ERA in the head-to-head series.

Anderson, who has not won since April 18, last pitched on Tuesday against another American League East foe, the New York Yankees. He allowed just two runs (one earned) on five hits in six innings but suffered his second loss.

–Field Level Media

TL’s Sunday Sports Notes | June 1

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By TERRY LYONS, Editor of Digital Sports Desk

BOSTON – For the final leg of the great trifecta of Spring Thoroughbred Horse Racing (no Triple Crown hype this season), the horse trailers will detour at the George Washington Bridge and head north to the wonderful, picturesque town of Saratoga Springs.

Belmont Park is currently under a total re-construction – if it were Madison Square Garden, they’d call it a transformation. By all accounts, the work is on schedule and racing will return to Elmont in the Fall of 2026. Until then, the dingy Aqueduct Raceway in Queens will host racing in the city, while Saratoga Race Course will be the jewel of the 1+mile and 1⁄4 (10 furlongs), instead of the traditional mile and a half (12 furlongs).

The 157th running of the Belmont Stakes is this coming Saturday, June 7, 2025 at approximately 6:50pm EDT. Television coverage will be provided (in the USA) by Fox Sports.

Back in December, 2023, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced a $455 million renovation plan for Belmont Park and the ensuing move of the Belmont Stakes to Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs (UpState NY) for the interim, with construction expected to last into late 2025 or early 2026.

Renovations are well underway, and NY 12 television had an early look at the progress, along with some artists’ renditions of what the “new” Belmont will look like, come 2026.

As a bit of a tease, the sport of thoroughbred horse racing announced this week that new Belmont Park was selected to host the 2027 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, one of Thoroughbred racing’s most prestigious international festivals.

The news was released as part of a multiyear announcement that named Keeneland Race Course in Lexington as the 2026 host site for the Breeders’ Cup, underscoring an ongoing commitment from Breeders’ Cup Limited to promote horse racing and invest in its future. Since its founding in 1984, the non-profit organization has given back more than $1 billion to the industry in purses, awards, and charitable donations while conducting the World Championships at 12 elite racetracks across North America.

“The Breeders’ Cup and New York Racing Association (NYRA) share a deep commitment to quality and distinction, making the new Belmont Park a prime venue to host the 2027 Breeders’ Cup World Championships,” said Drew Fleming, President & CEO of Breeders’ Cup Limited. “The return of the Breeders’ Cup to New York has been years in the making, and we thank Governor Hochul for supporting a new Belmont Park and a New York Breeders’ Cup. The re-imagined Belmont Park will provide an exceptional stage for the world’s greatest racehorses and participants as we welcome contenders and fans from around the globe.”

Central to the Belmont Park redevelopment is a 300,000-square foot, five-story building featuring the modern amenities and hospitality offerings sports fans have come to expect, while the new facility will unlock the massive infield to provide fans and the community with more green space than ever before. In addition, NYRA is completely renovating the existing main dirt track and two turf courses while adding an all-weather synthetic surface.

“A new Belmont Park is taking shape on Long Island because of the leadership and vision of Gov. Hochul, whose support for horse racing and understanding of its positive economic impact have paved the way for the return of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships to New York in 2027,” said David O’Rourke, NYRA President & CEO. “New York’s racing fans and participants have longed to host this event since it was last held at Belmont in 2005, and we thank the Breeders’ Cup for making that a reality.”

Travers Day (Saturday, August 23) is the centerpiece of the summer season at Saratoga with the $1,250,000 purse awaiting the winners. The Travers is Saratoga’s most famous race, and attracts many of the same elite horses that run in the three Triple Crown horse races.

Then it’s onward to the new Belmont.

In a return more than 20 years in the making, Belmont Park will welcome the Breeders’ Cup in 2027 for a fifth time after hosting in 1990, 1995, 2001, and 2005.

The Breeders’ Cup at Belmont Park will be held Oct. 29-30, 2027, but race dates are pending approval by the New York State Gaming Commission.

HERE NOW, THE NOTES: The sport of Volleyball has Beach Volleyball. The sport of Rugby (15 players) has Rugby Sevens (obviously, seven players). The sport of Basketball has 3×3. The Sport of American Football has Flag Football and now the sport of Baseball is investing heavily in softball. MLB reportedly purchased a stake in Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) as part of its efforts to grow the league ahead of its 2025 inaugural season, MLB said in a statement. The league will work to help raise the profile of the new softball league and its athletes through editorial, social media activities, marketing, events and game/highlights distribution, airing some AUSL games on MLB Network and streaming on MLB.com. Baseball purchased an equity stake worth more than 20% in the company.

TIDBITS & NUGGETS: Former Boston Bruins defenseman Zedeno Charawas selected for induction into the IIHF Hall of Fame. … The Boston Red Sox are currently in a stretch during which 18 of their 27 games from May 26-to-June 25 are on the road, including a season-long, nine-game road trip from June 16-25 to Seattle, San Francisco, and LA Angels (three games each series). … The LA Angels stop in to Fenway Park this week for a three game set of Boston’s three-game home stand. … At The Memorial in Dublin, Ohio, Scottie Scheffler birdied four of his last five holes, finishing with a birdie from just inside 15 feet. He took the third round lead when 18-h ole leader Ben Griffin missed a 3-foot par putt on the final hole. Scheffler opened the third round with 13 straight pars. Scheffler is the the reigning (2024) Memorial champion who last year became the fourth winner of the tournament to go on to win the FedEx Cup in the same season, There were three such winners in the last four years: (Viktor Hovland/2023, Patrick Cantlay/2021), and Tiger Woods did it in 2009. A playoff has decided the Memorial Tournament (presented by Workday) in six of the last 11 years, so tune into CBS Sports this afternoon. … Seattle’s Cal Raleigh is on pace for 57 home runs this season, which would be easily the most by a primary catcher in a single season. Kansas City’s Salvador Perez holds the record with 48 homers in 2021. Raleigh’s first dinger Friday night made him the first catcher to hit 20 home runs before the end of May.

JUST IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Paige Bueckers of the WNBA’s Dallas Wings returned to Connecticut and scored a career high 21 points as Dallas won its first game of the season, beating the Sun 109-87 this week. Bueckers, the No. 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, shot 8-for-10 from the field and added seven assists and five rebounds. Bueckers kept her perfect record at Connecticut’s Mohegan Sun Arena, where the Sun play their home games. The rookie went 15-0 at the Sun’s building in college while playing for UConn, including winning four Big East championships with the Huskies.

Bueckers was placed into concussion protocol after her club’s loss to the Chicago Sky (May 29th). Bueckers, the No. 1 pick in this year’s WNBA draft, will be reevaluated after this week’s game against the Seattle Storm. She’ll miss at least two games.
Zion Williamson was selected by the New Orleans Pelicans with the No. 1 pick at the 2019 NBA Draft (Photo by T. Peter Lyons)

The No. 1 pick of the 2019 NBA Draft, Zion Williamson of the New Orleans Pelicans has struggled through numerous injuries on the court b ut must now face serious charges in court. A woman has accused the Pelicans forward of alleged rape in addition to “sexual, physical, emotional and financial” abuse over the span of a multiyear relationship, according to a lawsuit submitted to Los Angeles Superior Court this week.

As of publication, neither reps of Williamson nor the team have commented on the charges.

Lower body injuries that have limited Williamson to 30 or fewer games in three of his five NBA seasons and he sat out the entire 2021-22 season due to injury.

Pacers Knock Out Knicks

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INDIANAPOLIS – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Indiana’s Pascal Siakam recorded 31 points and three blocked shots and the Pacers are headed to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2000 after notching a 125-108 victory over the visiting New York Knicks in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals on Saturday night.

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Siakam was voted the Eastern Conference finals MVP. Tyrese Haliburton added 21 points, 13 assists and three steals for fourth-seeded Indiana. Obi Toppin added 18 points off the bench and Andrew Nembhard had 14 points and six steals for the Pacers.

Indiana will face the Western Conference champion Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Finals. Game 1 is Thursday in Oklahoma City.

OG Anunoby scored 24 points and Karl-Anthony Towns added 22 points and 14 rebounds for third-seeded New York. Jalen Brunson had 19 points and seven assists and Mikal Bridges had 15 points for the Knicks.

Indiana had a 25-10 edge on fastbreak points to finish the series with a dominating 106-48 advantage in that category.

The Pacers shot 54.1 percent from the field, including a solid 17 of 33 from 3-point range (51.5 percent). Myles Turner and reserve Thomas Bryant had 11 points apiece and Aaron Nesmith added 10 for the Pacers.

New York made 47.7 percent of its shots and was 9 of 32 (28.1 percent) from behind the arc. Landry Shamet had 12 points on four treys off the bench.

New York trailed by 15 entering the final quarter but a basket by Towns and two in a row by Anunoby pulled the Knicks within 92-83 with 10:15 remaining.

Haliburton then took over as he scored 11 points on 5-of-6 shooting in the final stanza.

The Pacers pushed the lead back to 14 on a basket by Nembhard with 8:26 left.