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TL’s Sunday Sports Notes | Oct 27

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“Walking on the sidewalk, roundball under my arm

Everybody knows how you play is who you are,

Walking down the road, looking for a game or two

The real moves come through, no matter what they’re gonna do

It’s down to you.”

“Take me to the old playground

Where the old ones rule, and the young ones do their time

Take me to the old playground

Where the talk is cheap

And the restless stalk the baseline.”

“The old sage frowns, he says just pass it on around

But all-world junior’s pulling up from downtown

For some it’s a way out, for some it’s a way in

Most of us don’t even care

We’re just looking for another gym to get in.”

“Take me to the old playground

Where the old ones rule, and the young ones do their time

Take me to the old playground

Where some play from dreams

And the rest just play for pride …

The old man said stop running with those boys

But they know what to do and their folks don’t mind the noise

Say hey now, everybody’s gonna get along

Just call your own foul when you break the rules

If you make it, take it, so make your move.”

– Music and lyrics by Bruce Hornsby, John Hornsby

By TERRY LYONS, Editor in Chief of Digital Sports Desk

BOSTON – The great Bruce Hornsby burst on to the rock scene in 1986 with his hit song, “Just the Way It Is,“ which paved his way to a GRAMMY Award for Best New Artist of ‘86 and a solid new “Virginia Sound,” combining rock, jazz and bluegrass all into one. Hornsby wrote a few other incredible songs, including Mandolin Rain in 1986, Jacob’s Ladder (for Huey Lewis and the News) in 1987, End of the Innocence (for Don Henley) in 1989 and one of my all-time favorites – The Old Playground – in 1990.

Around or about 1989 or 1990, I had the great fortune to meet Hornsby and his band and witness a dozen shows from his concert right at St. John’s University to shows at the Westbury Music Fair to summer tours at Jones Beach and one memorable concert in Philadelphia with Don Stirling, he of “The School of Rock,” and outposts such as the Golden State Warriors, NBA Properties, Mitt Romney’s Governor of Massachusetts’ office for sports, and later the Utah Jazz senior staff. We reminisced and recalled every detail of that Philly show just two or three weeks ago when a number of former NBAers met in Chicago.

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While running my first NBA All-Star event for our Communications department, I had little time to chit-chat as the specific events unfolded, but the foundation of the Lyons-Hornsby relationship was solidified at the 1991 All-Star Weekend in Charlotte when Hornsby and Branford Marsalis combined for one of the most beautiful and meaningful National Anthem performances of our time. At that event (just a week or two after the Gulf War broke out), the challenge was getting Bruce’s BALDWIN grand piano onto the basketball court without putting a divot into the hardwood. And, as I recall, the bigger challenge was removing the piano in the two minutes we had after the anthem was completed. (I still thank many of the still photographers who went out of their way to help us get that done right in the middle of their own courtside set-ups.

Fast forward a number of years to the 2000 NBA Finals, and we snuck a small tip cup/glass onto Bruce’s piano just before he did his sound check at the Pacers’ Field House in Indianapolis. Hornsby was invited to perform by his fellow pianist and Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle. After Bruce played an impeccable “practice” National anthem a couple hours before tip-off, we tucked a couple $1 bills into the cup and made a request which – of course – he played just a few bars of as we all laughed.

One other day, years later, when UNC-Asheville played at Northeastern, Bruce’s son, Keith, was lighting up the Huskies at Matthews Arena in Boston and I was able to snap a halfway decent still photo and I e-mailed it to Keith’s Dad in real time. Bruce was astonished and ever appreciative that I thought of him.

Over the years, there were many a meet-up, including backstage at Madison Square Garden for a Grateful Dead show, a few solo shows in New York City and Boston, and one night, in particular, when I left him a simple email at about 6:00pm for an 8:00pm show, simply to say I had purchased great seats and would be in the audience, figuring he’d read my message a day or two later.

Of course, Bruce replied to the email in 10 minutes and said there’d be backstage passes awaiting. He had a number of meet-and-greet obligations after the show and I stood aside, figuring I’d just say thanks, congratulate him on an amazing show and be on my way.

Nope!

Bruce wanted to review some basketball highlight tapes of Keith and we went into a back dressing room where he brought out his laptop. Keith had transferred from UNC-Asheville to LSU where he slid over to the “2” guard spot to accomodate Ben Simmons playing the point. Keith improved his three-point field goal shooting and avaeraged about 13 points a game, good enough to get looks at Portland and Dallas, where he later signed on to play for the Texas Legends, the Mavs’ G-League squad.

Keith played in Poland, Germany and then moved up the European ladder to play in France and Lithuania before settling in with Bilbao Basket (Spain) in the highly competitive ACB.

Rightfully so, Bruce was quite proud of his son, Keith, but was always hoping for that NBA break.

It never came and Bruce and Keith played on.

PLAYING DEAD: There’s a pretty good Grateful Dead cover band that tours around, and they’re called “Playing Dead.” I’ve heard they’re pretty good but haven’t had the chance to see them perform. … The problem and reality we’re all facing is the fact that two of the original members of the real Dead are now playing dead. Yes, another member of the original band, Phil Lesh, passed away this week. In a prominent obituary, The New York Times wrote, “Key to the dynamic of the Grateful Dead was the way Mr. Lesh used the bass to provide ever-shifting counterpoints to the dancing lines of the lead guitarist Jerry Garcia, the curt riffs of the rhythm guitarist Bob Weir, the bold rhythms of the drummers Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann, and, in the band’s first eight years, the warm organ work of Ron McKernan, known as Pigpen. … Lesh joins Garcia in the afterlife, and you can only pray, they’re writing new music for a legion of fans, including our bud, Ramrod (Larry Shurtliff), the president of the incorporated band, and his wife, Francis, both frequent guests at the NBA All-Star Game and an occasional Finals. Ramrod passed away in 2006 at the young age of 61. Everyone who ever met him misses him (and Francis) greatly.

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Now, we return to 99.9% sports notes.

HERE NOW, THE NOTES: The 2024 World Series began with an “Instant Classic” on Friday night when Dodgers 1B Freddie Freeman hit a game-winning, extra innings grand slam home run. Trailing the NY Yankees 3-2 in the bottom of the 10th inning, a hobbled Freeman came to bat, reminding many of the 1988 feat by Kirk Gibson against the Oakland A’s. There were even side-by-side comparisons posted to social media outlets.

Game 2 is underway as WWYI is being posted and then, the Series will continue with Games 3, 4, and (if necessary) 5 in the Bronx. … As in the past, our friends at Strat-O-Matic have crunched the numbers and run the computer simulations for the Series.

The result?

The LA Dodgers bested the NY Yankees in a seven-game series (the same number of games this and many other pundits are predicting this year).

In the StratO-Matic simulation of the decisive Game 7, Teoscar Hernandez’s single plated Series MVP Mookie Betts with the go-ahead run that gave L.A. a 2-1 edge. The hosts would add another in the bottom of the sixth on a solo home run by Dodgers catcher Will Smith, and on a bullpen day, pitcher Blake Treinen tossed two perfect innings, fanning four, as the last of eight Los Angeles pitchers in the game. Treinen registered his third save of the series.

Los Angeles rallied from a 3-1 series deficit, getting five-inning starts from SPs Jack Flaherty and Yoshinobu Yamamoto in Games Five and Six to send it to the winner-take-all contest in L.A.

Betts hit .370 in the seven games with a home run and seven RBI. In the battle between probable league MVPs, New York’s Aaron Judge (.346, two home runs, three RBI) and Shohei Ohtani (.231, two HR, six RBI) were fairly even, while Giancarlo Stanton had three home runs and drove in six in the series.

TIDBITS: The Westchester Knicks selected Matt Ryan (6-6, 215, Tennessee-Chattanooga) with the first overall pick in the 2024 NBA G League Draft, which was held Saturday, Oct. 26. The Knicks also selected six-year NBA veteran Landry Shamet (6-4, 190, Wichita State) with the second overall pick, while the Cleveland Charge took Sean East II (6-3, 180, Missouri) with the third pick. … Boston’s affiliate, the Maine Celtics, (once known as the Red Claws) selected Eric Gaines, a 6-2, 23-year old rookie guard. Gaines, a former LSU (Louisiana State) and UAB (Alabama-Birmingham) collegiate player, was the ninth overall selection in the G League Draft.

In pro golf circles, there are significant rumors and multiple reports that legend Greg Norman is set to be replaced as LIV Golf’s CEO, with the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund actively looking for a replacement for the Australian tour star.

The two-time major championship winner, age 69, has been the most vocal figure and ambassador for the controversial breakaway LIV Golf since its formation in 2022. Reports note Norman will stay within LIV even after his replacement is hired. According to Sports Business Journal, Norman will simply be moved into another role as his replacement is sought. … Norman was named CEO of LIV Investments in October of 2021 in a 10-year deal that reportedly pays him $50m a year.

SPORTS BIZ: In the “can’t make it up category” also known as “Sign of the Apocalypse,” as once penned by Sports Illustrated’s Jack McCallum, this came across the sports wire on Thursday: The National Basketball Association and Wingstop announced a multiyear partnership making Wingstop the Official Chicken Partner of the NBA and NBA G League. The agreement marks Wingstop’s first official partnership with a major U.S. professional sports league. … The “chicken partner” is traded on NASDAQ. No word on a pork partner.

NBA PREDICTIONS: I usually await the 10-game mark before making any predictions, looking for some early season trends and observing the various new combos (Klay Thompson at Dallas should work) or injuries/return from injuries (Boston’s Kristaps Porzingis won’t be back until Decemberish). This year? What the heck, not all that much is going to change between two games and 10 games.

Here’s the scoop, and it’s nothing you haven’t seen elsewhere:

Eastern Conference:

  1. Boston Celtics
  2. Milwaukee Bucks
  3. New York Knicks
  4. Philadelphia 76ers
  5. Cleveland Cavaliers
  6. Indiana Pacers
  7. Orlando Magic
  8. Atlanta Hawks

Boston over Milwaukee in the ECF.

Western Conference:

  1. Oklahoma City Thunder
  2. Denver Nuggets
  3. Dallas Mavericks
  4. New Orleans Pelicans
  5. Phoenix Suns
  6. LA Clippers
  7. Memphis Grizzlies

Denver over OKC in the WCF.

Boston over Denver in the 2025 NBA Finals (unless Porzingis is OUT).

TL’s Sunday Sports Notes| Sept 29

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E.L.O. lit-up the Celtics’ Banners at TD Garden (photo by T. Peter Lyons)

 

By TERRY LYONS, Editor of Digital Sports Desk

BOSTON – There are ninety-five days remaining in 2024 until the ball drops to bring in 2025. Twenty-five years since the world was going to end because of the Y2K (supposed) disaster. Just think? When 1999 turned to 2000, could you ever imagine that the most serious world disaster of our generation was just twenty years away?

Somehow, most of us survived. Some did not, taken by a global pandemic that so many have begun to publicly minimize, or forget, or pretend that it never existed while preaching the USA’s reaction was too cautious and overblown.

Truth be told, the key to surviving the 2019-2020-2021+ COVID pandemic was to circle the wagons with your immediate family and to bond together, trust each other and endure.

That’s what we did, and not to be forgotten, we added a puppy to the mix – Penny (Lane) is her name – and she just celebrated her fourth birthday in style. She made her biggest contribution as a puppy – she helped us endure. Four years later, joined by her “little brother,” Max, the message is still the same: keep bonding and keep on keeping on – everyday.

Why do I reach back, recall the beginning of this decade and send such a message as 2024 begins to meld with 2025?

Because it’s the same message being sent to the Boston Celtics by their coach, Joe Mazzula, just as the local pro basketball team starts training camp in an attempt to defend their title of 2024 – their record 18th NBA championship.

From Day 1 of training camp, all the way to the 2025 NBA Playoffs, the Celtics’ two all-world players – Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown – will hear the same question, over and over and over again as they meet with media from 28 different cities in North America. In fact, on October 4-6, they’ll hear the questions when they head to Abu Dhabi and meet with the scribes of Dubai.

To Brown: “Did the fact you were not selected to the 2024 USA men’s Olympic team both you after you won an NBA title and were named the MVP of the NBA Finals?”

To Tatum: “You were benched for two games at the Paris Olympics, a preliminary round game against Serbia on July 28 and the semifinal game against Serbia on August 8, will those perceived snubs from USA coach Steve Kerr provide motivation for you going into this NBA season?”

There’s no right answer to those questions, even though the Boston faithful will take it out on Kerr come November 6th when Kerr’s Golden State Warriors visit TD Garden for a “Day after Election Day, Wednesday night affair.” You’ve gotta wonder if the Boston fans will “stand back and stand by” when Kerr is introduced? I can imagine Tatum putting up 50.

Stepping back to Mazzula and the reality of 2024-25, the coach said to the Media Day assembly of hacks, TV types and social media followers, we can quote Cs point guard Jrue Holiday: “Joe’s message? … I think he just pointed out that people are going to say that we’re really good. And at times, people are gonna say that we suck,” Holiday said of Mazzulla’s message entering training camp. “I think that was word for word.

“People think we’re going to be really good. People think that we’re going to suck. But none of that matters,” added Holiday, another gold medalist from this summer. “All that matters is that we take care of each other, we go out there every day, do what we can for the person next to us.”

That’s called circling the wagons and bonding, as one. The 2024-25 Boston Celtics will be closer and they’ll know what it takes to win. The competition will be tougher, after all the Celtics have the proverbial NBA target on their backs. Like Mazzula said, none of that matters. What does matter is staying healthy, getting a healthy Kristaps Porzingis back from a very devastating injury and bonding/taking care of each other/enduring.

Porzingis might be back in action in December. Let’s see where he is in May and June?

An Indiana Fever fan wants to be like Caitlin (file photo)

HERE NOW, THE NOTES: I think it’s time to give Caitlin Clark – an incredible young athlete – a frickin’ break. Literally, and journalistically. … This note is being written off the top of my head, so please do not nit-pick if I miss something –> She’s had three BIG Ten titles, a couple Final Fours, three USA Basketball gold medals at U-16 and U-19 and she’s college basketball’s all-time leading scorer.

HUH? – But placing her name next to that of Serena and Simone Biles isn’t fair. Katie, too. This off-season, she’ll digest a very rough and tumble season of 2023-24, losing to South Carolina at her second straight Final Four, she was drafted No. 1 by the Indiana Fever in WNBA and she faced the toughest competition she’s ever seen in her life. – Ahhh, many of you weren’t paying attention to the WNBA being so deep and physical ever since its inception in 1997! … You might be hearing it here first: Caitlin Clark will see her day. She’ll come back for her second year in WNBA a little stronger and fully adjusted. She’ll be plugged into the USA senior national team that will begin preparation for the 2026 Women’s World Cup of Basketball in Berlin and she’ll be a core member of that team, although she might or might not be the best player on the team. She’ll be more reserved in her shot selection and her 3-for-16s will become 6-for-10s while her overall boxscore lines will improve with fewer turnovers (she only had three vs Connecticut in her last WNBA Playoff game). Her points, rebounds and assists will astound us, but, she’ll still be scrutinized more than any other player in basketball. Every hard foul, every scrape, every confrontation will make headines and SportsCenter. All the ssame tuff taken for granted when MJ was bounced around by the Celtics, Knicks and Pistons, will still be a big deal. In the WNBA, the only player scrutinized by so many “people” was Rebecca Lobo who was given a pretty hard time by ’96 USA Basketball coach Tara VanDeveer. Lobo, Cynthia Cooper, Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie, Tina Thompson, Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi were the trail blazing athletes for the WNBA. Caitlin Clark will take the women’s game to new heights. To a great degree, she already has made the 27-year old league tick like Big Ben. But, so has A’ja Wilson of the Vegas aces, Napheesa Collier of the Minnesota Lynx, Sabrina Ionescu of the New York Liberty or Clark’s teammate, Aliyah Boston of the Fever. They can all PLAY and I could go on. … But, let’s settle on one thing as the WNBA Playoffs progress without Clark and Boston and the Indiana Fever, let’s give Caitlin Clark a break. She’s earned it. She deserves it.

SPEAKING OF THE WNBA: The WNBA Players Association, via their current Executive Director Terri Carmichael Jackson (and surely with the approval of WNBA Union player President Nneka Ogwumike), issued a five segment statement – call it rant – on X to complain about coverage of the “W” by USA Today columnist Christine Brennan. … At a time when the WNBA Playoffs should be the only focus of the league, the players, the vendors and hot dog sales people, the Union decided to create a story pointing fingers at one of the very few national columnists that regularly covers the sport. The action(s) were so counterproductive. Gripes and any issues between Union/League/Team/Players to Media need to be resolved one-on-one and behind closed doors with the specific member of the media. That usually works 90-95% of the time. … What the WNBA PA’s ill-timed statement did was to magnify the story, totally out of proportion, and it now forces every columnist in the country to defend Brennan’s rights as a journalist and the rights of every media member to write their POV and opinion. Let’s keep in mind, the media is not in the business, nor required, to “celebrate” A’ja and Caitlin and DiJonal, and Napheesa. That’s the Union’s job, together with @WNBAPR. Please stop with this sophomoric behavior (writing on X) as it takes away from the professionalism of the #WNBA players at a time when the focus should be on the games and on the court.

TL’s Sunday Sports Notes | Chicago

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By TERRY LYONS, Editor of Digital Sports Desk

CHICAGO – When I think of Chicago, I think of the NBA and I immediately picture Chi-town native son Brian McIntyre, my boss and partner in crime at the league office for years and years – far too many to count. I also think of No. 23 – Michael Jordan – (pictured above) who took a symbolic NBA baton from Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, Earl “The Pearl” Monroe, Clyde Frazier and Oscar Robertson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Julius “Dr. J” Erving, then Larry Bird and Earvin “Magic” Johnson and ran it to every corner of the earth. How can you possibly think of Chicago and not think of Michael Jordan and the Bulls?

It’s great to be back in Chicago this weekend. I missed it a lot.

How did I miss thee? Let me count the ways.

I miss the 4:00am Blues Bar Kingston Mines. I miss the Twin Anchors and their baby back spare ribs.

I miss Magic Slim and the Teardrops. Slim passed away not long after a tour in 2013. We spent many a night chasing Slim to different dives around Chicago. One time during the 1997 Finals, were were disappointed not to see Slim playing in Chicago during the Game 1 and 2 schedule, only to find him at Club DV8 right next to the Salt Lake City Marriott for Games 3 and 4.

I miss Wrigley Field and the Cubs. And the great Harry Caray and his famous 7th inning stretch. How about Ernie Banks, Mr. Cub, stating, “Let’s play two,” because two games were better than just one in the days of frequent doubleheaders.

I miss a nice cold Old Style or a Falstaff. 🍺

I miss motoring down Lake Shore Drive in the spring and walking along Michigan Avenue in the summer.

I miss Buddy Guy’s at 700 S. Wabash. We had some good times there. I miss McCuddy’s, the old landmark Chicago saloon across the street from Comiskey Park.

I miss the Billy Goat Tavern on Lower Wacker. Word has it, this location wasn’t the original which was out on Madison. “Cheezeborger, Cheezeborger, Cheezeborger.” and “No Coke, Pepsi.” Now, they have eight locations. What a shame.

How about an Italian beef sandwich dreamt up by Al Ferrari? Or, maybe something as simple and great as a Chicago Hot Dog or Deep Dish Pizza?

I miss watching Gale Sayers running for the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Sayers was to NFL football what Julius “Dr. J” Erving was to the ABA and NBA. He was amazing and the best running back I’ve ever seen. Bears’ fans hold RB Walter Payton in the highest esteem, and I have no beef with that at all. Detroit Lions fans can boast of RB Barry Sanders, and they have every right to do so. But to me, Sayers was the best of all-time. He was drafted No. 4 overall in the 1965 NFL Draft. The Bears had the No. 3 (Dick Butkis) and No. 4 (Sayers), and they were preceded by the No. 1 pick, Tucker Frederickson of Auburn going to the New York Giants and No. 2 Ken Willard of North Carolina going to the San Francisco 49ers. Both Frederickson and Willard were Pro Bowl players. Butkis and Sayers are Hall of Famers.

I miss the Chicago Stadium, the loudest sports venue, by far, of any I’ve ever set foot inside and that goes for both ice hockey and basketball. Madison Square Garden rocks, and so did The Spectrum in Philly or the arenas – new and old – in the Bay Area, but the Stadium? Forget it.

Former Bulls PR man turned NBA guru Brian McIntyre says they had to wrap aluminum foil around the old Radio Shack computer couplers in order for reporters to send in stories late in the fourth quarter. It was so loud, the sound rattled the computer transmissions.

I miss Tony Esposito and Stan Mikita, Keith Magnuson and Bobby Hull, Pit Martin and Dennis Hull, all of the great Chicago Blackhawks teams. The most prominent musical instrument ever built was housed in the old Chicago Stadium. In fact, it was the largest Barton Organ ever built had some 51 ranks of pipes of massive scale with the usual percussion, traps, and effects. A rather gaudy red and gold “circus wagon” console (perhaps the largest organ console ever built) was on prominent display on the arena’s balcony. A balcony seat behind the goal was the best seat in hockey.

I miss Gate 3 1/2 – the media, employees, players and VVIP entrance to the Chicago Stadium, and possibly, the most unique “gate” in pro sports history. At a normal regular season game, parking in the Gate 3 1/2 lot was a breeze. In the Playoffs, forget it unless you had some serious juice. In many places around the league, the great (my old boss at NBA) Brian McIntyre had some juice. In Chicago, he was Mr. Tropicana. At NBA Finals games, we’d be able to drive within five-ten feet of Gate 3 1/2, hop out, grab out jackets and bags and Brian would hand the keys to an attendant – usually an off-duty or retired Chicago Police officers – would whisk the car away to be parked in a very safe and gated adjacent lot. On most nights, we’d be the last car to leave but the car would be waiting, backed in and facing outbound to make it easier to depart. On cold nights in the winter, the heater would be on and the car already nice and warm. On hot, steamy summer nights during the many NBA Finals games, the air conditioning would be on and the car perfectly cooled. A 5-10 minute heads up got the job done.

Yours truly bounding out Gate 3 1/2 on off-day of 1992 NBA Finals (NBA Photos)

So, I must state firmly, I miss the Chicago Bulls, in general, and I especially miss Tim Hallam and Joe O’Neill of the Bulls’ front office. And, yeah, I miss that guy who wore No. 23.

Think back to the Bulls introductions, beginning with the visiting team players being dead-panned (announced) to Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon instrumental “On the Run,” accompanied by the crowd’s growing chorus of boos, was the greatest in sports history. … After the visitor’s were introduced and the dull, low of instrumental, then it really began, with an animation of a lonely bull browsing and grazing then gathering steam and running past the Chicago Theatre and through downtown Chicago until it reached the Madhouse on Madison. (a later animation had a whole stampede of Bulls on the way to the United Center). I miss hearing the instrumental of the Alan Parsons Project playing Sirius. … I miss the deafening introduction of Michael Jordan … And I miss having a courtside seat to see the most spectacular all-around player the NBA has ever seen. For those who never saw the intros in person, this version recorded in 1996 by NBC Sports and originating from the United Center doesn’t even do justice to the pure pandemonium that occurred at the old Stadium. Night and day with the level of noise, and United Center is a solid No. 2 in my eyes and ears, with Salt Lake City’s Delta Center being a distant No. 3 to back the Utah Jazz … But, back to Chi-town, when I think of the Chicago Bulls, I first think of Jordan and all the nights at The Finals, but I also think of Jerry Sloan, the toughest of all Bulls and one of the toughest players to ever play in the NBA. In most cases with the players and coaches of the NBA, you make acquaintance. With Sloan, you met him and – under the right circumstances – you had a true friend for life. Tough, sincere, loyal. I miss him greatly, and may he rest in peace. … As I close with my tribute to Chicago, I can say I even miss John Fett, the cranky old Operations Director of the Chicago Stadium. Fett was always clad in his NHL Blackhawks Starter jacket to show the NBA Bulls where his allegiance was every day of the season.

SPORTS TOWNS: I’ve always ranked the USA’s top sports towns as a three horse race, and here they are (in order):

  1. Philadelphia
  2. Chicago
  3. Boston

Everyone else is pretending or their city has so much else to offer (theatre, music, dance) that people are spread thinly with the many options. That said, if you’re going to measure sports towns by championships across the four major North American sports, here’s the list:

  1. New York (53 championships)
  2. Boston (40)
  3. Montreal (27)
  4. Chicago (26)
  5. Los Angeles (25)
  6. Detroit (22)
  7. Philadelphia (16)
  8. Toronto (16)
  9. Pittsburgh (16)
  10. St. Louis (15)

HERE NOW, THE NOTES: The sports division at Netflix has been busy signing deals with properties and greasing the skids on bigger and better relationships as live full game and highlights of sports programming continues to be the be-all, end-all of DVR-free content. Netflix is getting its NBA on with a 10-part series entitled “Starting Five.” It features: Jimmy Butler, Anthony Edwards, Lebron James, Domantas Sabonis and Boston’s Jayson Tatum. Netflix has featured successful sports documentaries in NFL, Golf and Formula-1 car racing, among others. The Starting 5 has an impressive list of Producers, including James’ cohort Maverick Carter, Peyton Manning, President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle. The series will drop its first episode on Oct. 9th.

VIDEO KILLED THE AM RADIO BAND: Get this? The House Energy and Commerce Committee voted 45 to 2 to send a proposed AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act (H.R. 8449) to the full House for a vote.

“It’s been a stalwart of American prosperity and information sharing,” said Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-SC). “Having AM radio available is important to my constituents,” he added, noting its role during emergencies.

The role of AM during natural disasters was cited by several lawmakers as they spoke out during the bill’s markup, noting that FEMA has also spent tens of millions of dollars solidifying the Emergency Alert System with AM radio the backbone of EAS.

“For those of us who have experienced a natural disaster like Superstorm Sandy, we know that AM radio is an important lifeline when other forms of mass communication go out. It’s an important bill that I believe will help keep Americans safe,” said Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone (D-NJ), who cosponsored the bill.

If passed by the full House, the proposed AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act will require the Secretary of Transportation to issue a rule requiring access to AM broadcast stations in motor vehicles. If they don’t, carmakers could be fined, according to Inside Radio trade rag.

No truth to the rumor the House will mandate Cousin Brucie will return to WABC or if 1010-WINS will be back in the news business.

EAS: A quick question for our readers. During the global Pandemic/COVID-19, did the Emergency Alert System in your town utter one word of advice in your home? We’ve all endured countless show interruptions and middle-of-the-night awakenings to the sound of the Emergency Alert system, and its recording … You know it: “If this were an actual emergency …”

My thought is that the global pandemic was the most dangerous and lethal emergency to come down the pike in my lifetime, but not a “beep” from my EAS. What’s the deal with that? Can there possibly be a bigger emergency than a global pandemic knocking on the door?

TIDBITS AND GOLDEN NUGGETS: How many of you were absent from pop and rock school the day they taught Dua Lipa? That’s what 60 Minutes is for, right? In case you didn;t realize, 60 Minutes has been the best show on TV for 57 years. What is its secret? … It informs. … Case in point: Last weekend they had an in-depth 20 minute report on Due Lips. In case you didn’t know, Dua Lipa hails from London and was born to parents of Kosovo (Former YUG). Her father, a son of a historian, frequently played the music of David Bowie, Bob Dylan, Radiohead, The Police/Sting and the Stereophonics. Her father played in a local rock band as he was a singer and guitarist. After being told as a youngster that she couldn’t sing, she practiced and took lessons. By age 15 she was recording covers and uploading them to YouTube and SoundCloud. She’d also signed with a top modeling agency which allowed her to audition for parts with singing roles. She recorded “Hotter than Hell” and it delivered a recording contract with Warner Brothers. The dance-pop/techno-pop tempo dictated the tones of the rest of her album recordings and she was on her way to stardom. … When you figure out why there’s a Dua Lipa note in the middle of a Sunday Sports column, let me know, although her workout routines are up there with Jerry Rice or Karl Malone. She reportedly does workouts with classic warm-ups and stretching, hill sprints, core training, all body weight programs, yoga, and even some boxing. Then she winds down with long dog walks and a nap. The message: 60 Minutes just rocks.

FUTSAL: Raise your hand if you’ve been following the Futsal World Cup ‘24. … Oh, let’s rephrase the question. What the hell is Futsal and where is its World Cup? The Futsal World Cup was listed in the Sports TV Guide of the Boston Globe this week and I was curious enough to check it out. … Futsal is a derivative of Futbal in a Salon, or, in other words, Indoor Soccer. It dates back to 1930 and was conjured up by a teacher in Montevideo, Uruguay who created a version of indoor football for the members of the local YMCA. … That sounds quite similar to the start of basketball, but came some 39 years after Dr. James Naismith began bouncing basketballs in Springfield. … Futsal was usually played on the basketball hardwood floors and it’s caught on in a big way. I can attest, in Phys Ed class in high school, we played football, soccer, floor hockey, European Handball (a personal favorite), basketball, tennis, track and field events – you name it. But we never played futsal. I wish we had tried it. … The Futsal World Cup is on-going in – their words, not mine – the multifunctional sports and entertainment complex in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan. … Look it up on FS-2 or check your local listings and stream it.

TL’s Sunday Sports Notes | Sept 8

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While We’re Young (Ideas) | On the Paris ’24 Paralympics

The 2024 Paris Paralympics came to an amazing finish (Photo by Reuters)

By TERRY LYONS, Editor-in-Chief, Digital Sports Desk

BOSTON – On August 10th, this column stated: “fighting against every ounce of common sense in my mind and keeping to an iron-clad rule of never, ever stating that the most recent occurrence is the “best,” there’s a constant thought and growing conviction to call the 2024 Paris Summer Games the very best of my lifetime.”

It turned out to be a true statement of – not just opinion – but fact. The 2024 Olympics (July 26 – August 11) were tremendous. Paris is going to be very tough to beat and that’s because it’s a gift that kept on giving. The ‘24 Paralympics (August 28 – September 8) came to a close with the same joy and sense of accomplishment as its big brother.

There were approximately 4,400 athletes competing in the Paralympics, hailing from 168 delegations and a few Neutral Paralympic Athletes (NPA) (88 from Russia and 8 from Belarus) to round-out the competition. That means there were 4,400 amazing stories to be told from the Paralympics alone.

Here’s just one.

Ali Truwit grew up in bucolic Darien, Connecticut where she swam on her local swim club and was good enough to follow in the freestyle and backstrokes of her mother and uncle who each swam for Yale’s swimming team, an accomplished team in the IVY League.

Truwit worked and planned and dreamt of studying for her MBA at Harvard Business School as she worked a summer job at McKinsey & Company. She even ran a marathon. Her affluent upbringing allowed for family vacations and trips to Caribbean hot spots like Turks & Caicos where she swam and snorkeled near the pristine, crystal blue shoreline and beautiful, sandy beaches.

Ali Truwit – Yale

In late May of 2023, Truwit and her friend, Sophie Pilkinton, a 2019 Yale grad, went swimming and snorkeling off a local boat at a Turks and Caicos beach area Truwit knew quite well. As they were swimming, a shark came upon them.

“Sophie saw it before I did,” said Truwit to Yale Alumni Magazine, “and it came from behind, and then up next to us. The next thing I knew, it was underneath us. Pretty quickly, it had my leg in its mouth,” she said.

“I remember thinking in my head, am I crazy, or do I not have my foot right now? And I turned around to see,” Truwit remembers. “That was really one of the hardest images that stuck with me for a long time, just seeing my footless leg bleeding in the clear blue water.”

Pilkinton, a medical school grad, wrapped a tourniquet around Truwit’s leg to help limit the flow of blood. The injury was, quite obviously, very serious and, eventually, Truwit required a medevac flight to a Miami hospital.

As Yale Magazine wrote: “On her 23rd birthday, eight days after the attack, a portion of her leg was amputated so that she could, some time down the road, wear a prosthetic. This was the new reality.

“When the texts began to fly and news about Truwit’s attack spread through the Yale swimming community, support poured in. Truwit’s mother’s teammates took turns sending her flowers every week. Her former Yale teammate Duncan Lee ’20, now working at MIT with a noted prosthetist, got in touch about how to start the journey to using a prosthetic. When Truwit was being moved into her parents’ first-floor guest bedroom to recover, another teammate decorated the place with photographs from Yale swimmers and other friends, to make it feel welcoming and warm.”

The story does not end there as it must weave it way to Paris and the Summer of ‘24.

In October 2023, Truwit began to train 90 minutes a day, four days a week with a goal to attend a meet in December staged by USA Paralympics Swimming. After two months of training, she went to the US Paralympics Swimming Nationals meet and swam well.

Training for the ‘24 Paralympics meant competing at swim meets on a regular basis and all over the USA. Truwit swam and competed alongside athletes whose achievements bolstered her confidence. “It was so huge for me to be able to see all of these incredible athletes just conquering obstacles and doing incredible things in the water,” Truwit told Yale Magazine. “I think it just gave me so much hope and so much strength for my own journey.”

In June, Truwit headed to Minneapolis and qualified for the Paris games, just over a year after she was attacked. The only setback came when her meets were televised and she caught a glimpse of the mobile camera on a track at poolside. To say the least, it spooked her.

To combat that fear, Truwit had to swim faster and faster to gain a starting block in the center of the pool rather than the outside lanes. She succeeded once again, and in the ‘You can’t make this up’ category of sport, Truwit swam and earned a silver medal this past Thursday in the women’s 400-meter freestyle.

For everyone who witnessed the Olympics and Paralympics this summer, “We’ll always have Paris.”

HERE NOW, THE NOTES: Last week, the PGA Tour put on the finishing touches with Scottie Scheffler’s win at the TOUR Championship. This weekend, pro tennis calls it a summer with the closing weekend of the United States Open, the fan-friendly, only-in-New York, boisterous, crazy, hectic and ultra-competitive tennis tournament every player just loves to play. … With the two summer sports folding the deck and Baseball heading into the home stretch, it’s time for the NFL to dominate the airwaves. But first, let’s look at the …

US OPEN: Aryna Sabalenka, the amazing, strong, humble and eloquent (in both Russian and English) women’s pro tennis player defeated American Jessica Pegula (7-5, 7-5) in straight sets to take her first United States Open women’s singles title, to be added to her 2023 and 2024 Australian Open championships to begin her claim as the best women’s tennis player in the world. Sabalenka – currently ranked No. 2 in the world – also reached the semifinals of the 2023 French Open and Wimbledon (where she also made the 2021 semis). Pegula, the daughter of Terry Pegula (owner of the NFL’s Buffalo Bills and NHL’s Sabres) and Kim Pegula, a Korean-born American businesswoman and president of Pegula Sports & Entertainment – the parent company of the sports entities. Kim Pegula suffered a severe stroke in 2022 and was legally declared incapacitated in 2023, but has worked her way back through physical therapy. The 26-year Sabalenka calls Boca Raton, Florida home as she’s not able to return to her hometown of Minsk (Belarusia) during wartime. Both women provided U.S. Open fans with some of the best tennis to be played as No. 1 Iga Swiatek of Poland and American favorite Coco Gauff were eliminated. … Sunday (2:00pm ET) brings the men’s final between Italy’s Jannik Sinner, ranked No. 1, vs. American Taylor Fritz.

TIDBITS AND GOLDEN NUGGETS: We always preview the NFL season with the annual Strat-0-Matic predictions for the pro football season. This year in the Stratosphere? The Dallas Cowboys finished the regular season at 12-5, first in the NFC East and second best in the NFL. … The Cowboys were the prediction to go on to win the Super Bowl, according to the Strat-O-Matic simulators. … Specifically, Dallas won the title with a 27-16 victory over the KC Chiefs. The second-seeded Cowboys defeated New Orleans, Detroit and Chicago to advance to the Super Bowl. … By the way, please, please stop the political ads targeting New Hampshire. … Break-up the Boston College Eagles. One week after their upset victory over nationally ranked Florida State, Boston College blanked visiting Duquesne, 56-0, in the 2024 home opener at Alumni Stadium Saturday. The Eagles compiled 563 total yards of offense, including 306 yards on the ground. … With the win, BC opened the season at 2-0 for the first time since the 2021 season. … Shortstop Trevor Story started and batted seventh for the Boston Red Sox Saturday night against the Chicago White Sox. Story, 31, started at shortstop in each of the Sox’ first eight games this season before being placed on the Injured List on April 6 with a left shoulder dislocation. … Originally selected by the Colorado Rockies in Competitive Balance Round A of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft, the two-time All-Star (2018-19) and two-time Silver Slugger Award recipient (2018-19) has hit .265 (892-for-3,368) with an .834 OPS, 177 home runs, and 124 stolen bases in 890 career games with the Rockies (2016-21) and Red Sox (2022-24).

TL’s Sunday Sports Notes | Sept. 1

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The FM: New LPGA tournament on the block in Norton, Mass

 

By TERRY LYONS, Editor in Chief, Digital Sports Desk

NORTON – The dateline might look familiar. It last appeared on Digital Sports Deskin September of 2020, freshly inked from the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup Playoffs and the Northern Trust (won by Dustin Johnson) in the good ole days before the Tour was as divided as the two major political parties of the USA.

The bean counters took a look at the Nielsen TV ratings and the PGA Tour execs cut their playoffs down to three rounds, to be sure they conclude before the start of the NFL season. Then, FedEx used its clout as year-long sponsor and the keeper of all things playoffs, the BMW Championship (formerly the Western Open) and Coca-Cola stepped-up with big-time money for record purses to keep the pseudo semi-finals and the TOUR Championship right where they are today, as the men finish their season at East Lake Country Club, near Atlanta.

Although the TOUR promised us a tournament every other season, thus was the end of men’s pro golf in Greater Boston/Providence as the Deutsch Bank Championship and its Labor Day finish was stopped cold in 2018 and, after a year at Liberty National in New Jersey, the Boston/Labor Day concept was briefly reinstated in 2020. But Northern Trust couldn’t be trusted and golf fans of New England were left with a free Labor Day Monday and an occasional major at The Country Club – not bad at all.

This weekend, professional golf returned to Eastern Massachusetts as a new LPGA tournament, the FM Championship, is being staged at famed TPC Boston.

While We’re Young (Ideas) and Digital Sports Desk are both on-site for the LPGA’s “FM” this weekend. Please visit DSD on Sunday for complete coverage of the tournament’s final day, coinciding with the PGA Tour’s 2024 conclusion at the TOUR Championship. (FM is a corporate real estate assessment firm to mitigate potential water/flood/other damage to land assets/HQs).

From the FM Media Center Saturday, we can note that nine players are separated by five strokes with S. Korea’s Jin Young Ko (67) – (-11) atop the leaderboard after her Saturday round. American Lauren Coughlin snuck into second place at (69) – (-9).

There’s a definite surge in the overall popularity of women’s sports, much to the credit of basketball phenom Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever who bolsters the WNBA this season. But, lifelong sports fans must always recognize the two mainstays of women’s sports – tennis and golf – as the cornerstones of activity. They’re both on display this weekend, as summer sports give way to the Fall of ‘24.

Chicago Sky PF Angela Reese might be pushing Clark in the WNBA, but there’s a long list of players in hot pursuit of LPGA leading money winner, Nelly Korda,($3,601,630 over 13 events) who is being chased by more than a dozen talented, world class golfers as the women’s tour zig-zags the USA and the globe. Korda took a pass at playing Boston this week after her near-miss “W” at the AIG Women’s Open at the Old Course in Britain.

UPSETS: Aside from the LPGA/FM Championship and WTA/U.S. Open tennis tournament, let’s look at some upsets in sports at the start of the Fall schedule of college & pro football, MLB, WNBA, U.S. Open tennis, the TOUR Championship and the women’s golf home stretch:

  • Georgia Tech knocked off Florida State, 24-21, in their ACC opener held in Dublin, Ireland (Week 0).
  • French Open and Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz (Spain) was handed his earliest exit at the US Open when he lost in straight sets, 6-1, 7-5, 6-4, to World No. 74 Botic van de Zandschulp (Netherlands).
  • A night later, No. 2 seed Novak Djokovic (Serbia) lost to No. 28 seed in Australia’s Alexei Popyrin, 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4, in the third round on the same court.

HERE NOW, THE NOTES: Next week, WWYI will delve into the 2024 NFL season, but this week, it’s important to note that the rookie QB (Drake) Maye to coach (Jerod) Mayo era will wait a while, as Mayo named veteran QB Jacoby Brissett the opening week starter. … The pundits of Las Vegas have the New England Patriots listed as O/U 4.5 in season wins, an NFL low. Yet, it’s very difficult to count five possible “Ws” on the Patriots’ difficult AFC East schedule. … In other words, take the (U)under. … Boston College football opens up on the road vs (0-1) Florida State. The Eagles are in trouble, as the Seminoles will play ‘pissed’ after their loss to ACC Sleeper Georgia Tech. … The SMU Mustangs might be considered another ACC sleeper, after their 29-24 victory over Nevada (Augst 24).

TID-BITS AND GOLDEN NUGGETS: The Boston Bruins are seeking some veteran experience and influence in the locker and on the ice with the signing of forward Tyler Johnson to a Professional Tryout Agreement (PTO). … Johnson, 34, appeared in 67 games with the Chicago Blackhawks during the 2023-24 season, recording 17 goals and 14 assists for 31 points. The 5-foot-8, 185-pound forward has skated in 738 career NHL games with Chicago and Tampa Bay, totaling 193 goals and 238 assists for 431 points with a plus-20 rating. The two-time Stanley Cup winner (2020, 2021) has also played 116 career Stanley Cup playoff games, tallying 32 goals and 33 assists for 65 points. … Norway’s Erling Haaland scored his second consecutive futbol hat trick which led Manchester City to a 3-1 win at West Ham United on Saturday, maintaining Man City’s perfect start to the Premier League season. … Going into Saturday night’s game at Detroit, the Boston Red Sox are (16-23) in the 39 fun-filled games since the MLB All-Star break.

TL’s Sunday Sports Notes | Olympic ⛳️

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By TERRY LYONS, Editor of Digital Sports Desk

FROM the LYONS’ DEN in BOSTON – It’s time to “tee-up” a patented TL timeline of a column. It works when there’s any Olympic golf tournament, staged in Paris, France, and the time zone change brings live golf into your quiet, basement TV at three in the morning – a little like Ryder Cup times.

You know the rules. (There’s none).

Here we go:

August 1, 2024

4:11am – After my iPhone alarm had been moved to snooze twice since its 3:00am setting, a large cup of coffee – let’s call it Cafe au lait for the occasion – was made with the care of a Parisian shoppe owner while doing everything humanly possible to not awake our two wonderful canines.

As one would expect, the early bird – that’s the lève tôt pour moi – was rewarded with the 4:11am ET/10:11am (local) tee time threesome – trio – of World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler of the USA, Ireland’s Rory McIlroy and Sweden’s Ludvig Åberg being introduced to the crowds of Le Golf National, located at Saint Quentin en Yvelines, to the west/southwest of Paris.

To set the scene properly, it’s important to note, the starter at Le Golf National could easily double as the cropier at the Casino de Monte-Carlo’s Baccarat table. You might remember the scene from the 2018 Ryder Cup (17 1⁄2 – to – 10 1⁄2 win by Europe), as the Albatros Course looked and played in near perfect condition.

5:00am – There’s a few general thoughts running through your columnist’s mind. They’ll be addressed now, and presented in stream of consciousness mode.

Golf returned to the Olympic Games in 2016 (Rio) and is being contested for only the fifth time in the modern Olympics. The sport was first played in the Olympics in 1900, as the 1896 modern Olympics in Greece did not have a suitable golf course to play. In 1900, at the Compiègne Club in France, both men and woman competed in the sport. Only four nations were represented (France, Great Britain, the United States and Greece).

Charles Sands, a representative of the St. Andrews Golf Club in Yonkers, New York finished the 36 hole tournament, shooting (82)+(85) for (167), defeating Walter Rutherford of Jedburgh, Scotland (Great Britain) by one stroke. In the women’s competition, Margaret Abbott of Chicago Golf Club. Abbott (born in Calcutta) shot a (47) to win and became the first ever American female to medal in the Olympic Games. The bad news was that she received a gilded porcelein bowl as a trophy, rather than a gold medal. The incredible news, Abbott’s mother finished seventh.

St. Louis was celebrating the World’s Fair in 1904 and hosted a two country (USA and Canada) golf tournament at the Glen Echo course in St. Louis. A 20-year-old American, H. Chandler Egan, a Harvard student and the reigning U.S. Amateur champion, was the heavy favorite to claim the gold medal in match play format. Egan met Canadian George Lyon in the 36-hole final but lost 3 and 2 in difficult conditions.

Golf was not included in the Olympic Games for 112 years after St. Louis. Fast forward 90 years to October 9, 2009, in Copenhagen when the 121st IOC session determined golf would be reinstated to the Summer Olympics and for plaqnning purposes, the sport returned in grand form at the 2016 Games at Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). Interestingly, the USOC’s Bob Condron was named venue chief – a very smart move for the brand new course constructed for the event.

Britain’s Justin Rose and Korea’s Inbee Park took the gold medals in Rio.

Of course, the global pandemic wreaked havoc but golf returned in 2021 at the Tokyo Games when Xander Schauffele and Nelly Korda, both representing the United States of America, won the men’s and women’s events. They remain defending champions until medals are awarded this week.

Keep in mind, unlike the usual PGA Tour, DP World Golf or LIV Golf event when some 50-70+ players will have a slice of the sizable purse, this week, only three players in both the men’s and women’s events are recognized as winners. In other words, you get the same prize for fourth as you do for 60th – “nuthin.”

5:55am – The featured group of defending champion Schauffele – winner of two of ‘24’s four majors in the PGA Championship and the recent Open Championship – was placed with Spain’s Jon Rahm who won his first LIV Golf title only a week ago, and Norway’s Viktor Hovland, the reigning FedEx Cup Champion and winner of a cool $18 million for his efforts, joined the party.

Remember, for their entire PGA Tour careers, Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer, winners of 25 majors and 135 tour titles, earned a combined $7,595,888. (US).

6:06am – France’s Mathieu Pavon teed-off as the hometown hero but he was overshadowed a bit by his playing partners, Collin Morikawa of the USA and MattFitzpatrick of England.

6:15am – Two – yes, count ‘em, two dogs woke up and sought me out in our home basement and both were happy to cuddle-up and return to sleep for a while. Both Penny (Lane), our 3.5 year old Irish Golden Doodle (heavy on the Golden Retriever and Poodle side) and (Mighty) Max of Silver Hammer fame, our 1-year old english Springer Doodle, of the happiest, mellowist, craziest dog of all-time fame, remained silent, observing golf’s most important rule – “No Barking” at 6:15am.

A second wind cup of (Dunkin Donuts – original) coffee was brewed and poured into an Ember ceramic mug. BTW, the Ember Cup might be the greatest invention of the century, and I applaud (sis-in-law) for her generous Christmas gift. The glowing blue light, turned white hot, somehow keeps the coffee at its perfect temperature which can be set to the desired degree (120-145 degree Fahrenheit and that’s 48.9-62.8º degrees in Celsius – for all my many subscribers spread across the globe or those covering the golf tournament in the outskirts of Paris.

Speaking of which, please don’t categorize this as a rant. It’s a sincere wish.

HOW in the WORLD can an Olympic Golf tournament be staged without a one-day team match play event for gold, silver and bronze medals? Each country to qualify would pick two players to compete in a bracket-type, Match Play tournament, not unlike the WGC tournament which used to be on the PGA schedule. It would add a lot to the golf experience at the Olympics, and maybe add two days for the players to remain on the road. … Mixed doubles would be great too. (Four Ball).

It’s “on” to the rest of the morning:

6:30am – The “regular” alarm clocks ring. Thursday, August 1, 2024 is now, officially beginning in this Boston household.

6:39am – The final threesome of the day – Fabrizio Zanotti of Paraguay, Joel Girrbachof Switzerland, and Tapio Pulkkanen of Finland – are the first tee. Meanwhile, Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama became the clubhouse leader for the first round by shooting an (8-under) (63), three strokes ahead of a group of two players at (-6) and four players (and growing) at (minus 5).

By days end, Hideki Matsuyama, the Japan native and popular PGA Tour player, carded a bogey-free, 8-under (63) to top the 60-athlete, first-round leaderboard on a sultry day in the outskirts of Paris. Round 1 was victim to two weather delays.

August 2, 2024

The second round saw American Xander Schauffele card a 36-hole total of (131), tying the low 36-hole Olympic mark that he recorded at the 2020 in ‘21) Tokyo Olympics. Meanwhile, Hideki Matsuyama of Japan closed with a double-bogey (6) for a 3-under (68) in his Friday play, but he leads the field with 15 birdies through the opening two rounds.

Fatigue was kicking in on the second day of the 4:00am (ET) wake-up, never mind the third day.

August 3, 2024

Spain’s Jon Rahm posted his second consecutive (66) and he hit 17 of 18 greens in regulation. Rahm leads the field in Greens in Regulation (87.04%) and Driving Accuracy (80.95%) through three rounds.

Schauffele’s third round score (68) marked his second consecutive Olympics when he, at least, had a share of the 54-hole lead. Not bad. Schauffele can become the first back-to-back medalist in the men’s Olympic golf history.

Former U.S. Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick of Great Britain withdrew from the Olympic men’s golf competition after he shot an (81) in the third round. He was nursing a thumb injury.

That leads us to the posting of WWYI (Saturday night at 10:00am ET) and the start of the final round of the tournament, beginning at 3:00am but highlighted when the leaders tee-it-up at 6:39am ET). So, if you’re reading this Saturday night, you know the deal.

If you’re reading it on Sunday morning, turn on the Golf Channel.

HERE NOW, THE NOTES: Buzzword Bingo for NBC’s coverage of the Men’s Olympic basketball tournament. Here’s a Top 10.

  1. International basketball is catching up. (psst, that happened at least 24 years ago).
  2. They check their ego at the door. (psst, there’s no ego check closet).
  3. The level of talent, is incredible. Twelve alpha-dogs.
  4. The USA hasn’t had all that much time to prepare.
  5. They have to play the right way.
  6. They’re playing for one another.
  7. This is bigger than me, individually.
  8. Take care of the basketball and defend the way you can.
  9. You’ve got guys that are willing to sacrifice.
  10. The coaching staff has done an amazing job. (a comment that can go 180-degrees if there’s an upset in the next round when it’s “On to Bercy”

RIP: There’s been far too many Rest in Peace notifications in this missive, but it’s a must to convey sincere condolences to the wife, Taryn Faith, and three daughters of Andy Jasner, a Philadelphia-based writer/reporter known to many of us through his late father, Phil Jasner, who wrote for the Philadelphia Daily News.

One minute Andy, 55, was filing a story on the Philadelphia Phillies, the next, he was gone, a victim of a massive heart attack which shook our world on Friday, August 2. The news spread quickly on Friday afternoon and the weekend. “I am simply speechless over this tragedy,” wrote one WWYI subscriber who emailed this morning.

NOTE: Sign Up for the COMPLETE Sunday Sports Notebook, sent every Saturday at 10:00pm ET to give you that Bulldog Edition kind of feel.

TL’s Sunday Sports Notes | July 28

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While We’re Young (Ideas) on The 2024 Olympic Games

By TERRY LYONS, Editor of Digital Sports Desk

BOSTON – Just think how great it would’ve been. Instead of the Seine, we could’ve shown off the Charles. Instead of The Avenue des Champs-Élysées we could’ve shown the world that 128 and 95 are the same road. They’ll show off The Louvre but we could’ve polished up Fenway Park or the New England Sports Museum.

A studio in the sky for the Boston Summer Games could’ve looked live at Storrow Drive just as some BU kid drove his Ryder Truck into the overpass and sawed off his new Sleep by Number bed, fully Storrowed.

Face it. We blew it.

We (meaning the citizens of Boston) did what we always do. We complained. We complained about cost over-runs, we complained about traffic, we complained that the Olympics might interfere with Patriots’ Training Camp, for God’s sake. We would’ve complained about the Sox being on the road for two-plus weeks. Of course, it would’ve been the Olympics that cost the ‘24 Sox a Wild Card spot, not Kutter Crawford’s failing cutter.

Truthfully, the chances of Boston getting out of the first round of global IOC Olympic site voting was about as strong as the Bruins getting out of the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Paris had the deck stacked, as the ‘24 Games are the 100 year anniversary of the 1924 Games, when Paris last hosted the Summer Olympics. That’s good enough for me, but don’t blame WWYI for thinking there should be a nice new 12,000 seat stadium for the Revs and an upgraded Alumni Stadium for Boston College football and a brand spankin’ new Aquatics Center for swimming and diving that could’ve been a legacy venue for Boston to host future swim meets and world competitions. We’d have built it, but the IOC would’ve paid for it.

Just think? Boxing and Badminton at Fenway! Or maybe they’d bring back Baseball as a temporary exhibition sport, like they’re doing with Break Dancing and Skate Boarding in Paris.

For Boston, it wasn’t meant to be and that’s okay.

Just seeing semi-retired Boston Globe Olympic sports columnist John Powers’ byline from PARIS was enough for this Bostonian to be happy to kick-it-back, wake up at 4:00am (ET) or even watch the plausibly live taped turnaround coverage.

One thing enjoyed this morning was to re-program the “favorites” on the old remote, eliminating the March Madness leftovers of CBS, TBS, TNT and Tru which were replaced by NBC, USA Network, CNBC, and The Golf Channel on linear with Peacock ready for the OTT setup. No matter, the TV will be tuned in at all hours of the day.

Saturday morning, on USA Network, we had the treat of watching the US women’s water polo team defeat Greece, 15-6, in their opener. The best part was getting the play-by-play call from the great Kenny Albert who made the Water Polo sound like a New York Rangers’ NHL game. It was terrific. Maybe Albert can do double duty at Field Hockey and Water Polo?

Paris 2024

HERE NOW, THE NOTES: There’s going to be a ton written, reported and pontificated upon to readers and television audiences around the world during the great fortnight to come. The 2024 Summer Olympics is upon us and Friday’s Opening Ceremony sur le Seine was one of the great sights sporting audiences will ever see. It was an ode to “vive la différence’ in many ways.

It seems when polled, everyone wants something new and exciting. They want something different and original. They criticize the same old, same old and want a progressive world at their finger tips. But, when they get it, they complain that “it wasn’t an Opening Ceremony the way it should be.”

Go figure.

The most important thing from this vantage point is a wish for a safe and secure Olympics for all. Let the athletes play.

In terms of great moments and memories, there are thousands of them to recall. I had the great pleasure to work on eight Olympic Games with USA Basketball and attend four of those events (Barcelona, Atlanta, Sydney and Athens). Without a doubt, they were the greatest experiences of my career – each and every one of them. Yes, the 1984 NBA Finals were the best basketball I’ve ever witnessed and we all care so much about our USA/Canada based pro sports results, but the Olympics and representing the United States as a member of the official delegation were – by far – the biggest thrill and most meaningful, humbling and gratifying moments of my career in sports. All the Games had incredible highs and some hit the depths of the lows (think Atlanta bombing).

And, thinking back on ’72, with the horrific terrorist attack on Team Israel in their dorms in Munich, that was the worst of it, without a doubt. On the court that same year, the USA was totally screwed out of a Gold Medal in Men’s basketball when Renato William Jones came down from his seat in the stands and decided to put three more seconds on the game clock, overruling the game officials. What a farce. Shameful. But, that was YESTERDAY.

The Opening Ceremonies, however, delivered so much hope, inspiration and promise. That ceremony started an Olympics of TODAY.

While we tend to look for the brightest of stars, the medalists, I found the Olympics to be more about a swimmer from Budapest, Hungary I was so fortunate to meet on an Olympic Village bus ride in Athens 2004. She had finished her heat in swimming and came in 46th overall. She was not expected to be in the Top 100. It was her personal best performance and she was so happy and proud. She did not advance to the next round of heats, but her team recognized the great individual effort and celebrated her accomplishment. It was a great moment for her and her team. It was the best day of her life, and she was so happy to share it with someone with USA on their shirt/jacket. She also spoke such perfect English and I was at such a loss not to be able to communicate better with her in her native language. We are so isolated in North America.

Overall, no other great shakes for this post.

My main message?

The Summer Games are here. Let’s enjoy them instead of complaining about ridiculous distractions from some non-source without a clue but with an agenda.

BRONZE TID-BITS, SILVER OBSERVATIONS AND GOLDEN NUGGETS: How cool is it to have two children of your friends compete in the Olympics? That is the case with Sam Coffey, the daughter of former New York writer/columnist extraordinaire Wayne Coffey. His daughter, who played college soccer at Boston College and Penn State, is a new member of the USWNT and a player to be reckoned with, for sure. She plays pro ball for the Portland Thorns and is part of the bright future for the USA women, whether at the Olympics or future World Cup. … Nic Fink, a swimmer, is the son of Peter Fink – a partner in crime and one of the best Events execs in NBA history. Peter was a guy who was always loyal, always respectful of his colleagues, knowing decisions made would effect a wider contingent than just the Events Department. He is experiencing the second act of his career, a bright one, but his son, Nic, is swimming (possibly for his last big time event) in Paris. Nic qualified through the various heats and will be swimming in the final of the 100m breaststroke as you read this Sunday morning. (or, if you’re on it Saturday night, set your alarm).

By the way, Nic stood out as a collegiate swimmer at the University of Georgia and earned a degree in Engineering while he was at it. Check out his career – HERE.

While We’re Young (Ideas) | Lyons Den

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MLB All-Star Break; MiLB Gets Its Chance

people sitting on green grass field during dusk
Minor League Baseball Americana : MiLB Photo by Frankie Lopez on Unsplash

By TERRY LYONS, Editor of Digital Sports Desk

PORTLAND (Maine) – As much as we’d all like to find some time, a few minutes or – even better – hours, days, and weeks to relax during the hot, Dog Days of Summer, there’s always something else on the never-ending “What’s Next” list of life. There’s rarely a pause

As sure as the sports world turns, Wimbledon‘s men’s and women’s finals are being staged this weekend, the Tour de France is cycling away – starting in Italy and ending with a time trial from Monaco to Nice, France. It’s the first time the race doesn’t end in Paris because of the final preparations for the Olympics are nearly completed. The PGA Tour has travelled across the pond for the Genesis Scottish Open and next weekend’s “The Open,” and the WNBA All-Star break with its mid-season classic game scheduled for July 20 in Phoenix. Then, we’ll have a full Olympic Games break in the “W” from July 21 to August 14.

Of course, the highlight of the summer of 2024 are the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad in Paris and other select cities (like Lille for basketball) in France (July 26 to August 11).

As of Monday morning, baseball will take its break. While the vast majority of baseball’s rank and file will head to Cabo, the All-Stars will convene in Arlington, Texas for the Tuesday night classic at Globe Field. On Monday night, the players will have some fun with the annual Home Run Derby. Scheduled to compete are:

  • Pete Alonso, New York Mets
  • Alex Bohm, Philadelphia Phillies
  • Adolis Garcia, Texas Rangers
  • Gunnar Henderson, Baltimore Orioles
  • Teoscar Hernández, LA Dodgers
  • Marcell Ozuna, Atlanta Braves
  • José Ramírez, Cleveland Guardians
  • Bobby Witt, Jr., Kansas City Royals

That’s a formidable group of sluggers, as long as you’re okay with the fact big league HR leaders like Aaron Judge (33), (New York Yankees), Shohei Ohtani, (28) (Los Angeles Dodgers), Anthony Santander (23), (Baltimore Orioles), Josh Naylor, (22), Cleveland Guardians, Juan Soto (22), New York Yankees, Christian Walker (22), Arizona Diamondbacks are all sitting out the competition, many with built in excuses of tight rib muscles or sore backs. (All HR Leader figures noted were as of Saturday morning).

Boston’s 3B Rafa Devers hit his 22nd homer of the season on Saturday at Fenway Park. It moved him to 11th in club history with his 194th blast. Popular catcher Jason Varitek relinquished the 11th spot. Devers, who announced he’ll be sitting out the All-Star Game due to a lingering left shoulder problem, obviously can not participate in the Derby, either.

HERE NOW, THE NOTES: As we mind the gap for the Big Leaguers, there’s never a better time to turn our attention to the Minor Leagues (MiLB). The annual Futures All-Star Game is ongoing as this is being typed. Cincinnati Reds prospect Cam Collier crushed a 409-foot home run as the NL defeated the AL, 6-1. Collier, the 18th overall pick in the 2022 Draft, has 13 homers for High-A Dayton on the year.

Looking deeper into the world of MiLB, there’s a great story brewing in Iowa, of all places for you Field of Dreams fans.

Sioux City’s J.D. Scholten improved his pitching record to 2-0, and snapped Fargo-Moorhead’s American Association best five-game win streak. Scholten is a 44 year old Iowa State Representative in the State House. The political pitcher last suited up for the Sioux City Explorers in 2007 but gave up his baseball career for a job in politics. But the Rep couldn’t stop the itch of pitching a baseball and returned to pro ball in the Netherlands last summer before returning to his State House gig.

This summer, with only three hours notice before taking to the mound, Scholten accepted a spot start for ailing starter Jared Wetherbee.

‘They made ‘The Rookie’ about Jim Morris making it to the Majors with the Tampa Rays at age 35, J.D.’s story should at least merit a special on C Span,’ joked American Association Commissioner Josh Schaub. “The story unfolding, given the quality of players Scholten’s faced in both Milwaukee and now Fargo/Fargo-Moorhead, is quite amazing.”

The American Association of Professional Baseball is a 12-franchise independent league, with no direct affiliations to the major league clubs. In other words, everyone is a free agent and can be called to the Show. The American Association, Atlantic League, Frontier League and Pioneer League are all baseball leagues that have been designated as Partner Leagues of Major League Baseball.

A road trip to visit every AA club at its home field would make for quite an adventure. All teams are situated in the Midwest and cover nine states (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas and Wisconsin) and one Canadian province (Manitoba).

Fill up the gas tank.

CLOSER TO HOME: The Cape League is a personal favorite, not only for its close proximity to Boston but also for the pure baseball vibe in the idyllic setting Cape Cod towns from Bourne to Chatham.

Yarmouth-Dennis leads the Cape Cod East Division with a 15-7 record while the Wareham Gatemen are 15-7, as well. Wareham leads the Cape Cod West Division ladder, just two games (in loss column) ahead of the Cotuit Kettleers. The regular season runs through August 4, and a couple short playoff series decide a champion.

The clubs are mostly comprised of top-notch collegiate stars, many who will have their names called this weekend during the 2024 MLB Draft. The Draft has now become part of the All-Star Week. It includes a whopping 20 rounds, including the first two rounds, compensatory rounds, competitive balance rounds and prospect promotion incentive selections on the first night of the soiree.

Coverage begins with a preview show at 6:00pm (ET) tonight on MLB Network, MLB.TV, MLB.com and the MLB app. The actual Draft begins at 7:00pm (ET) and ESPN broadcasts the first round.

SEA DOGS are LEAD DOGS: The Portland Sea Dogs, the Double-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox are leading a service for blind and visually impaired fans and it might be something that can make a mark in all sports, especially MiLB and MLB.

We’re talking a major impact.

Noting an MiLB.com story on the service which explains, “The Double-A affiliate of the Red Sox plays in a park that’s down the block from the headquarters of The Iris Network, a nonprofit with the mission of “helping people with vision impairment or blindness attain independence and community integration,” and it includes “apartments where many with vision impairment live.” The Sea Dogs’ staff has long taken pride in bringing the joys of Minor League Baseball to everybody, and when a new company stepped-up with a service to assist those fans, the team jumped at the opportunity.

The company, Aira, and its board member Kevin Phelan, contacted the club before this season, and explained the system. The team felt the partnership was a no-brainer.

Says MiLB, “Aira’s app allows users to connect with live representatives who can utilize the phone’s camera to see the surrounding area and talk a user through, for example, finding a seat or the shortest concessions line.”

Case-in-point: “Randy and Sarah Bellavance love attending Double-A games at Hadlock Field in Portland. This year – the second year the diehard Portland Sea Dogs fans have had season tickets -their local ballpark feels more welcoming than ever.

“The Bellavances, a married couple who are both blind, typically take in the on-field sounds in front of their seats near first base while also chatting with the fans around them – lots of whom have become friends – while one of them listens to the Sea Dogs’ radio broadcast and relays key information to the other. As much as they’ve enjoyed the game day experiences for years and years, Hadlock has become an even easier and more convenient environment via the Aira Visual Interpreter app on their phones, available for free thanks to the team’s partnership with a tech company that specializes in accessibility (and takes care of the basic costs).

“I can tell you without a doubt – and I’m going to be honest here – I was so proud that I was able to make it down to the ladies room on my own with Aira,” said Sarah Bellavance, “and on my own I was able to figure out how to get back. That’s something I don’t do.”

THE TECH is THE KEY: Sometimes, it’s the simplest ideas that gain traction. Aira has found the key. Phelan, who moved to the Portland area over a decade ago to be near the Baxter School for the Deaf after his middle child didn’t pass a hearing screening, identified a need for a service like Aira’s in part through his own experience navigating the intersection of tech and accessibility.

He also realized that while federal funding has made sign language interpretation services widely available to people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, there’s no such pathway for interpretation services for people who are blind or low-vision. This gap led to Aira, which offers a subscription model for things like in-home use but relies on successful partnerships with businesses and governmental agencies.

“If you look at the community in accessibility space, they’ve been told about so many new tech [products] … it’s all high-promise, and the tech is either too complicated, or it just doesn’t work,” Phelan said.

Aira works.

In the past, it’s helped a Boston Marathon runner (Erich Manser) completed the 26.2 mile race and qualified for the Iron Man Triathlon, all while getting guidance assistant from his sight provider based in Cleveland, Ohio.

“Aira has been around for almost a decade now,” noted Phelan. “Why it’s done well and why we’re the No. 1 product out there, is that it’s simple and the tech works. Tap a button, the phone camera turns on, and Randy and Sarah can get that information independently.”

Phelan hopes to take it further.

“The relationship between this community and sports… I’ve been blown away with how many people are blind and have a passion for sports,” said Phelan, who pointed out that his own love of baseball has been shaped in part by listening to Red Sox play-by-play broadcaster Joe Castiglione.

“I’ve attended games with people who are blind, and there are always other fans who are wondering, ‘Why are they at this game if they can’t see?’ But they’re following the game, they love the game and they know the game, and they want that experience. Aira is filling in that part of the experience where Randy wants to find his seat without going to guest services. Randy wants to find the shortest line for beer or a hot dog,” said Phelan.

For the Bellavances, who haven’t visited Fenway Park since Randy made a somewhat overwhelming trip there before the couple met, the experience Aira has delivered at Hadlock Field invites the notion of more accessible experiences at ballparks everywhere.

“I would like to see it at every park,” Randy said. “It would be my hope that, if you have it at one level, I think eventually you’ll get it into the next. I know people who live in Washington DC and Maryland who go to Washington Nationals games and they’d love to have something like this.”

MiLB and the Portland Sea Dogs are paving the foundation for a truly impactful step for professional sports. The Sea Dogs are becoming the “See” Dogs and MLB is taking notice.

So soon, will the other professional and collegiate sports, who can package the teach and match it up with the right sponsor for a win-win-win, all around. Fans like the Bellavances will win the most.

Here’s the full story from MiLB.com

TID-BITS AND GOLDEN NUGGETS: Hank Egan, a longtime NBA Assistant Coach, widely recognized for his fundamental teaching of the game was named as the recipient of the 2024 Tex Winter Assistant Coach Lifetime Impact Award, the National Basketball Coaches Association (NBCA) announced today.

Egan began his coaching career in 1966 as an assistant at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. In 1971, he was promoted to Head Coach and served in that capacity for 13 seasons. Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Coach, Gregg Popovich, both played (1966-1970) and served as an assistant coach (1973-1979) for Coach Hank Egan at the Air Force Academy. Coach Popovich credits a lot of his career success to his longtime mentor Coach Hank Egan.

“I’m thrilled that Hank Egan is receiving this well-deserved honor,” said Popovich, the head coach of the San Antonio Spurs. “During his 40-plus seasons as a coach, he taught, inspired and supported so many of us. His passion for basketball combined with his knowledge of the game, made him one of the best coaches I’ve ever encountered. I’m forever grateful for Hank’s mentorship and friendship.”

After winning nearly 150 games at the Air Force Academy, Coach Egan was hired to lead the University of San Diego basketball program. During the 1986-1987 season, Coach Egan led the San Diego Toreros to a 24-6 season, a regular season West Coast Atlantic Conference (WCAC) championship, as well as a trip to the NCAA tournament. He won back-to-back conference Coach of the Year Awards (1986 & 1987) and finished his career at the University of San Diego compiling a record of 156-126 as a Head Coach.

Coach Egan entered the NBA coaching ranks in 1994 with the San Antonio Spurs. During his first two seasons as an NBA Assistant Coach, Egan helped lead the Spurs to a 62-win season (1994-95) and a 59-win season (1995-96), as well as two consecutive Western Conference Finals appearances. Coach Gregg Popovich later became the Spurs Head Coach, during the 1996-1997 season, and Egan remained on his staff for six more seasons. In eight total seasons with the Spurs, Coach Egan amassed a record of 403-221 (.646) with seven playoff appearances, including winning the 1999 NBA Championship.

The Emirates NBA Cup Group Play Draw (NBA)

CUP of CUPS: The NBA Cup, complete with sponsor attachment by Emirates, held its pool play draw while all the NBA teams convened in Las Vegas for a combo of USA Basketball and Summer League play. One thing is for sure, Lady Luck shined upon the Boston Celtics, as the club fell into the weakest pool of opponents.

You can measure the groups by way of the graphic above, but here’s Boston’s draw in East Group C …

  • Boston Celtics
  • Cleveland Cavaliers
  • Chicago Bulls
  • Atlanta Hawks
  • Washington Wizards

TL’s Sunday Sports Notes | July 7

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While We’re Young (Ideas) | On Breakfast at Wimbledon

BOSTON – If you’re lucky enough to have a long holiday weekend which started Thursday with a 4th of July (Independence Day) celebration and will conclude Sunday night when the Boston Red Sox visit Yankee Stadium in the Bronx for Sunday Night Baseball, you’ll appreciate thoughts of 4th of July weekends gone by.

Early memories are from pinics at Salisbury Park in East Meadow which was later named Eisenhower Park in honor of President Dwight Eisenhower, or maybe John Candy? That came soon after Idlewild Airport was changed to JFK. Come nightfall, the best fireworks display on Long Island was staged at Eisenhower.

Daytime hours were filled with playing golf, tennis, softball or street hockey at a great (big) rink which had an oval for roller skating wrapped around it. Yes, there were a few roller bladers tattooed with “MYLEC” from a errant, hard, orange hockey ball shot over the boards. My fingers are pointed outbound, because this scribe kept his shot low and on goal, except when picking the upper right hand corner with a good wrist shot.

That leads us to a special memory, reserved for the early morning hours on the 4th of July. It was marketed to viewers of NBC Sports as Breakfast at Wimbledon. The late, great sportscaster Dick Enberg called the action and “Bud” Collins Jr. was awaiting at courtside for interviews with the winners in a tiny alcove just outside the dressing rooms.

Although Wimbledon has such a storied past, dating back to 1877, the timeframe your Sunday Notes keeper recalls is know as the “Open Era.” Wimbledon was paused for World War I (1915-1918) and World War II (1940-1945), but the names of the winners in men’s singles resonate with many. Bill Tilden in the ‘20s, Fred Perry in the 30s, Rod Laver, Roy Emerson and John Newcombe in the 1960s and ‘70s dominated the men’s draw.

Yet, in 1976, Björn Borg came along and for five straight years, and all other challengers were turned aside. Runners-up included tennis greats like Romania’s Ilie “Nasty” Năstase – a personal favorite, Americans Jimmy Connors, Roscoe Tanner and John McEnroe were turned aside. It wasn’t until 1981, when McEnroe took a four set victory over Borg (4-6, 7-6 (7-1), 7-6 (7-4), 6-4), that the tennis world’s best could be an American again.

Soon after, legendary matches, pitting McEnroe and Conners, took place with McEnroe earning his reputations as the ugly American ‘brat’ for the ages. The kid from Douglaston, Queens, not far from tennis alcoves in Forest Hills, Flushing Meadow and right at the Douglaston Club as his father made a living of service in the United States Air Force.

It was the golden era of men’s tennis and it soon led to a similar status for the women’s game at the The All England Lawn Tennis Club when the likes of Althea Gibson, Billie Jean King, Margaret Court and Evonne Goolagong gave way to Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova.

With Evert as a major rival, Navratilova reached the women’s (they call it ladies) singles finals 12 times, including nine straight seasons, with nine victories and a career total of 59 Grand Slam/Major titles.

The courts have been renovated, centre court has a roof and the tiny neighborhood town has given way to weather assured television programming. There’s never been a time for such a tournament, really a sport, to marvel in its glory years the way Wimbledon did with Navratilova and Evert, along with Borg, Conners and Ivan Lendl (on the Hard-Tru courts) – (with his alter-ego with similar playing style, Mr. Lendl-Lyons) headlining the draw.

Since those glory years, there’s been formidable champions. Just listing the men’s side, you have to consider these players to be among the all-time best:

  1. Boris Becker
  2. Pete Sampras
  3. Roger Federer
  4. Rafael Nadal
  5. Novak Djokovic

And, not to be overlooked on the women’s (ladies) side, Serena Williams cemented her stake as the greatest of all time. There will never be another Serena Williams. But, while the more recent men’s tennis rivalries deserve mention, none can match the drama and intrigue of the Borg-Connors-McEnroe era. It’s very possible none ever will.

HERE NOW, THE NOTES: Former super featherweight champion Ryan Garcia was expelled from the World Boxing Council (WBC) after making discriminatory remarks on social media. … “Exercising my authority as president of the WBC , I am hereby expelling Ryan Garcia from any activity with our organization. We reject any form of discrimination. I fear for Ryan well being as he has declined multiple attempts for our help with mental health and substance abuse,” WBC president Mauricio Sulaimansaid upon rendering the suspension. … Garcia later apologized and agreed to counseling. PGA TOUR rookie Hayden Springer shot some fireworks off for the July 4th crowds at the John Deere Classic. His opening round was highlighted by eight birdies and two eagles during his tournament debut, as the rook signed for a 12-under (59). … He’s the 13th different player (14 times) to shoot a sub-60 round on the PGA TOUR. Jim Furyk is the only player with 58 and 59. Springer’s round included: Hitting 10-of-14 fairways, 14-of-18 greens in regulation and 21 total putts (sank 112’ 6” of putts). His career-low round on TOUR came in his 19th start. His previous best was an 8-under (64) during R1/2024 American Express. … The USA Basketball Men’s U-17 National Team took a step closer to their goal of winning a gold medal at the 2024 FIBA U17 Men’s World Cup by beating Canada, 111-60, on Friday in Istanbul. The USA will take on New Zealand in the semifinals tomorrow, July 6, after the NZ defeated Lithuania 73-65 in the quarterfinals. … His friends can call him royal and his enemies can call him ancient, and they’ll both be correct. The R&A has named former rugby club CEO Mark Darbon as its new chief executive and secretary of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews in Scotland, said the governing board in a statement this week. The Open will be upon us in two full weeks (following the Genesis of Scotland). If you’re keeping score at home, that two major golf executives to head to the 19th hole in two weeks, after Seth Waugh of the PGA of America stepped down. The PGA has begun a national search to replace Waugh.

TL’s Sunday Sports Notes | June 30th

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While We’re Young (Ideas) – On Summer of ’24

Sunrise, Sunset (Photo by T. Peter Lyons/Digital Sports Desk)

By TERRY LYONS, Editor of Digital Sports Desk

BOSTON – Usually around Thanksgiving Day, this column waxes philosophic, taking stock of all the things to be thankful for as we face the challenges of life. Possibly lost in the shuffle or timing are the gifts of Summertime, a season of the year we should never, ever take for granted.

Yes, Fall in New England is a very special time of year. Brisk morning walks with our (two) dogs – Penny (Lane) and (Mighty) Max – start the day. We enjoy football Sundays and college football Saturdays on a cool October afternoon. The foliage is magnificent, at least until it must be raked and stuffed into bags of paper and placed on the curb come Monday night when yet another football game is being played.

But Summer. Ah, dear Summer, how can we thank thee?

Long days, filled with sun and 8:29pm sunsets … the smell of fresh cut grass … the robin red breast, a blue jay or a cardinal landing in the backyard … the chirp of the birds before sunrise … flowers blooming, especially the blue azaleas which took the year 2023 off but have outdone themselves this year … Cape Cod and Four Seas ice cream … new, clean and clear windows opened widely at night to cool the home from its midday warmth … checking the Major League Baseball standings on Memorial Day and cutting the standings out of the paper on the 4th of July to see how the old adage of first place on the 4th stands up come late September … a Fenway frank … keeping score of a major league game in Bob Carpenter’s baseball scorebook … the crack of the bat … red Twizzlers at a Little League baseball game … the annual NBA Draft and then free agency under a new set of rules governing maximum team salaries for the 2024-25 season … the travels of the Stanley Cup – sports’ most wonderful piece of hardware – as it travels the world to the hometowns of every single player on the NHL Stanley Cup championship roster … a double off the Green Monster or the proper fielding of a line drive off the historic wall at Fenway Park by a left fielder who promptly gloves and tosses the ball on a clothes line throw to second base, thus holding the batter/runner to a single … the 7 Line chugging into the old Shea Stadium – Willets Point stop and now a station to disembark to attend Citi Field, a wonderful ballpark in Flushing, Queens … soon – the same subway line will serve the patrons of the annual U.S. Open tennis tournament and the riders will walk towards Flushing Meadows instead of towards the home of the Metropolitans … that feeling on the 4th that Labor Day seems so far away … slicing Beefsteak tomatoes to decorate a sandwich … soft ice cream cones with a memory of Mister Softie trucks playing their tunes … Tom Carvel – aka Athanasios Thomas Karvelas – the business man from Hartsdale, New York who began selling ice cream from a truck in 1934 … Field 6 at Jones Beach … Ditch Plains in Montauk … radios on the beach, all tuned to the same FM station … Chatham, Mass … the opening of NFL training camps (July 23 for most teams) … the Farmer’s Market … corn on the cob with a bit of salt and pepper – hold the butter … cold gazpacho made from fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, red and green peppers with minced basil from the garden … the Arnold Palmer (half ice tea/half lemonade) over ice … summertime rock concerts at the Seaport, the Beach or maybe at Fenway Park … Blue Sky by the Allman Brothers Band … Saturday in the Park by Chicago … the signature carnival sound of the E Street Band … Southside at the Stone Pony … ice cold Rheingold or Shaeffer Beer … Gin & Tonic … the Jitney (isn’t it just a bus?) … Breakfast at Wimbledon … The Open ⛳️ … driving a JEEP in the open air on the beach … Gone Fishin’ … minor league baseball featuring the Chatham A’s vs Cotuit Kettleers – “Hey Cotuit” … hot dogs and burgers on the grill with watermelon for dessert … or the smell of a good NY Strip steak simmering on the grill … BLTs with corn salad … lightning bugs … the rooftops at Wrigley Field … smoked & grilled salmon on a cedar plank … waves breaking on the shore … the sounds of summer … wide open windows with a cool breeze overnight. Summer.

HERE NOW, THE NOTES: Boston College is rebuilding its swimming programs after a tumultuous year of 2023-24 when players on both the men’s and women’s teams were suspended for recruiting and hazing violations.

Dara Torres, one of the most decorated Olympians in United States sports history, has been named head men’s and women’s swimming & diving coach at Boston College. The announcement was made last week by William V. Campbell Director of Athletics Blake James.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dara Torres as our new head swimming & diving coach,” James said in a written statement. “From the moment we met with Dara, it was evident that she was exactly the fit we were looking for to begin a fresh, new chapter of Boston College swimming & diving. Her record as a world-class competitor is historic and her ability to clearly articulate her vision as a coach and leader will allow our student-athletes to develop and excel in and out of the pool.”

A six-time world record holder and 10-time American record holder throughout her competitive career, Torres made five appearances in the Olympic games (1984, 1988, 1992, 2000, 2008), garnering a total of 12 medals – four gold, four silver, and four bronze. She made her first U.S. national team at age 14 and broke her first world record as a 15-year old in the 50-meter freestyle.

As a coach, Torres has helped coach and mentor swimmers of various ages and skill levels, while serving as an advocate in leadership roles for the sport.

“This is a full-circle moment for me,” Torres said. “I’ve learned from great coaches at every point in my career. This opportunity to share what I’ve learned, in and out of the pool, and pass along technique, confidence, and support as part of the Boston College Athletics Department is a dream. I can’t wait to see what we accomplish together.”

Boasting an Olympic career that spanned 24 years, Torres represented the United States as a 17-year old at the 1984 Games in Los Angeles. It culminated with her becoming the oldest female swimmer – at 41 years of age – to compete in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. In 2009, Torres earned a trio of major awards: the ESPY Award for Best Comeback, the Thurman Munson Award, given to New York City athletes for their achievements and humanitarian efforts, and the World Fair play Award for best sportsmanship at the Olympics.

The previous head coach, Joe Brinkman, left BC early this year, “mutually parting” company with the school after the hazing scandal.

BIG EAST STRIKES TV RENEWAL WITH FOX AND STREAMING WITH NBC/PEACOCK: (Note is from official Big East news release) – The BIG EAST Conference announced a new six-year media rights agreement that will ensure that the league maintains its position as one of the most televised conferences in all of college athletics. FOX Sports, the BIG EAST’s television partner for the last 11 years, will continue as the conference’s lead network provider, with NBC Sports and TNT Sports also providing comprehensive BIG EAST basketball coverage for the first time. The agreement was unanimously approved by the Presidents of the BIG EAST’s 11 member institutions.

The new agreement, which will span from 2025-26 through 2030-31, encompasses coverage on FOX Sports (FOX, FS1, FS2), NBC Sports (NBC, Peacock) and TNT Sports (TNT, TBS, truTV and Max). The agreement will provide major national broadcast, cable and direct-to-consumer streaming coverage of BIG EAST men’s and women’s basketball games and Olympic sport championship contests. The BIG EAST’s current agreement with FOX Sports is scheduled to expire after the 2024-25 academic year. Established in 1979 and headquartered in New York City, the BIG EAST’s members are located in eight of the country’s top 38 largest media markets and include Butler University, University of Connecticut, Creighton University, DePaul University, Georgetown University, Marquette University, Providence College, St. John’s University, Seton Hall University, Villanova University and Xavier University.

FOX Sports will feature at least 80 BIG EAST men’s and women’s basketball contests across the regular season and postseason beginning in 2025-26. In addition, the FOX broadcast network will remain the home of the BIG EAST Men’s Tournament Final through 2031.

Peacock will launch its coverage of BIG EAST men’s basketball in 2024-25 with a package of 25 regular season games and five early round and quarterfinal conference tournament games. Beginning with the 2025-26 season, Peacock and NBC Sports will present more than 60 men’s and women’s regular season and BIG EAST Tournament games.

TNT Sports will feature 65 regular season BIG EAST basketball games airing on TNT – as its primary network – along with TBS, truTV and Max, beginning with the 2025-26 season.

“Our new agreement that provides coverage by FOX Sports, NBC Sports and TNT Sports will allow the BIG EAST to maintain our already high level of national broadcast and cable exposure while adding first-time streaming coverage for men’s basketball games and expanded distribution of games on the women’s basketball side,” said Creighton University President and BIG EAST Conference Board of Directors Chair Rev. Daniel S. Hendrickson, SJ, PhD. “The arrangement will provide enhanced revenue and long-term stability for the conference, create benefits for our student-athletes, and allow us to remain nationally competitive in our marquee sport: basketball. We are especially excited to continue our one-of-a-kind relationship with FOX Sports and look forward to building on the exceptional foundation we have established together over the past 11 years.”

“Everyone at FOX Sports is thrilled to continue our long-standing relationship with the BIG EAST, one of the nation’s top basketball conferences and a pillar of our college hoops lineup,” said Eric Shanks, CEO & Executive Producer, FOX Sports. “It’s a privilege to showcase these spectacular student-athletes and institutions alongside our new partners, NBC Sports and TNT Sports, while also fortifying our role as a leader in college sports.”

“BIG EAST Basketball is among the most prestigious in all of college sports, and we’re proud to be able to feature the men’s and women’s teams across our NBCUniversal platforms,” said Rick Cordella, President, NBC Sports. “The BIG EAST has a storied basketball history, and we look forward to showcasing these games as the conference creates more memorable moments.”