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While We're Young Ideas

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.”

TL’s Sunday Sports Notes | June 23

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While We’re Young (Ideas) with a Hodgepodge of Notes

By TERRY LYONS, Editor of Digital Sports Desk

CROMWELL – Summer was ushered into New England with a Rolling Rally for the 2024 NBA Champion Boston Celtics, a “Signature” PGA Tour event in the Greater Hartford area, high 90s heat wave temperatures throughout the region and – off in the distance – a Game 7 in the Stanley Cup Final between the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers.

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In case you haven’t been paying attention as the NHL skaters have been navigating their way from South Florida (USA) to the Province of Alberta (Canada) via the 2996.25 mile trip that would equate to a 44 hour drive. The Oilers were down 0-3 in the series and have now battled their way back to force a Game 7 in Sunrise, Florida on Monday night.

Closer to home (as in Boston, Massachusetts to Cromwell, Connecticut), we have The Travelers Championship – the 28th of 36 PGA Tour events on the regular season schedule – aka the road to the FedEx Cup Playoffs. If you put aside the dodging of T-Storms and start of summer heat wave, tucked in the ‘burbs of the insurance capital of the world is the best run, player-friendly, birdie festival known as The Travelers ☔️ (pretend the umbrella is red, please).

Although the golf tournament comes a short week after the U.S. Open and is sometimes in a difficult travel situation (Pinehurst, NC to Hartford, CT), the lone New England based golf tournament has endeared itself to the players with basic hospitality second to none, as well as the TPC River Highlands course that brings reward over risk, as long as you keep your golfball in the fairways. The decision-makers for the TOUR did their part as well, elevating The Travelers to Signature level, meaning there’s $20m in the purse and a cool $3.8m and 700 FedEx Cup points awaiting the winner. Aside from the obvious No. 1 in the world lock, Scottie Scheffler, FedEx Cup points will determine who makes the cut for the Top 70 players on Tour and eventually strokes at hand for the top players competing in the TOUR Championship (at East Lake GC in Atlanta) come August 29-September 1st. The current Top 10 (before points are awarded from The Travelers).

CURRENT FEDEX CUP POINTS LEADERS

  1. Scottie Scheffler – 5,068
  2. Xander Schauffele – 3,117
  3. Rory McIlroy – 2,445
  4. Collin Morikawa – 2,101
  5. Ludvig Åberg – 1,935
  6. Wyndham Clark – 1,915
  7. Sahith Theegala – 1,833
  8. Hideki Matsuyama – 1,815
  9. Byeong Hun An – 1,620
  10. Patrick Cantlay – 1,455

An withdrew from the Travelers on Thursday, citing illness. McIlroy withdrew earlier in the week after a disastrous U.S. Open outing where he blew two putts inside five feet and lost out to eventual champion Bryson DeChambeau.

The sports seasons are ‘a changin’ as we adjust from the winter sports calendar of ice hockey and basketball to the summer sport of baseball which is accompanied by WNBA basketball, soccer and tennis. The last time there wasn’t a scheduled game on the weekly calendar for the NHL, NBA or college basketball was Thursday, September 21, 2023. That’s 278 days on the annual sports calendar.

Monday will mark the 198th Game 7 in Stanley Cup Playoffs history and 18th in the Stanley Cup Final. It’s the first since the visiting St. Louis Blues defeated the hometown Boston Bruins when the Blues took their first and only NHL championship in 2019.

Of course, this summer we’ll all have the 2024 Paris Olympics. The Games of the XXXIII Olympiad which will take place from July 26 to August 11.

For the full weekly column of sports notes, please consider subscribing to While We’re Young (Ideas) via Substack – (link)

TL’s Sunday Sports Notes | June 16

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While We’re Young (Ideas) Pays Tribute to Jerry West

Happy Father’s Day to All the Great Dads Out There

By TERRY LYONS

BOSTON – PROVIDENCE – NEW HAVEN – STAMFORD – NEW YORK – (Written on the Amtrak Northeast Regional Train 163) – It was a Wednesday night, and the date was April 29, 1970 – a school night – but we were allowed to stay up late and watch the New York Knickerbockers play the Los Angeles Lakers at The Fabulous Forum in Inglewood, California. The three hour time change be damned, because the Knicks were playing Game 3 of the 1970 NBA Finals. It was a tight one and the crucial momentum of the championship series was about to be determined.

The inbounds pass went to New York’s Walt “Clyde” Frazier who calmly dribbled as the game clock counted down from 10 seconds to five. Frazier zipped a pass to a cutting Dave DeBusschere who pump faked and then hit a 15-foot jump shot from the free throw line, making the score 102-100 (Knicks) with three seconds remaining in the game.

Wilt Chamberlain took the ball out of bounds and snapped a chest pass to Jerry West who took three dribbles straight down center court, lining up with his basket some 60+ feet away. West launched the shot with a running leap and swish. “The ballgame is tied,” announced Knickerbockers TV play-by-play man Bob Wolff, as DeBusschere nearly fainted and fell backwards in disbelief.

The Knicks somehow outscored the Lakers 9-6 in the overtime and won Game 3 by the score of 111-108 (OT). Willis Reed led New York with 38 points while West had 34 points. A year after winning the Most Valuable Player award for the 1969 NBA Finals, (the first time the award was presented and the first and only time it was presented to a player on the losing team (Boston defeated LA, 4-games-to-3), West’s Lakers eventually lost to the Knicks in seven games as West averaged 31.3 points per game, 7.7 assists per game and 3.4 rebounds per game while playing an average of 47.9 minutes over the seven grueling games.

West was a player feared and revered by opponents and opposing fans. On a team that also had Chamberlain and the great Elgin Baylor, West was the point guard and team leader. West and Oscar Robertson had been the pride of the 1960 U.S. Olympic team which won the gold medal in Rome and has since been enshrined into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. Frazier was their equal in 1970 as the Knicks rose to prominence in the NBA.

West, a 14-time NBA All-Star, would go on to win his lone NBA title in 1972. He was honored on the NBA’s 35th, 50th and 75th Anniversary teams as one of the league’s all-time greats and a silhouette from a photo slide of his 6-foot-3 body was utilized to create the ubiquitous and globally recognized NBA logo.

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As great as his playing career, West followed with a full career as a front office/general manager and creator of championship-level NBA teams. For that talent, this year he was to be enshrined into the Basketball Hall of Fame as a contributor, joining his inductions as a player and a member of the 1960 U.S.A. men’s Olympic basketball team.

As you’ve certainly heard by now, West passed away Wednesday, June 12, 2024 at the age of 86. It was the second shocking notification of the death of an all-time NBA great, following the terrible news of Bill Walton’s death over Memorial Day weekend. Two of Southern California’s adopted and favorite sons (West from West Virginia) and Walton (from San Diego) gone.

I last wrote of West when I was extremely enraged – yes, let’s call it apoplectic – over the depiction of the Lakers great in a now (and deservedly so) cancelled television series, called “Winning Time.” In that series, West was made out to be an unfit, cursing, maniac as he was played by actor Jason Clarke. The depiction caused those who knew and worked with West to walk off the set, agents – some who he negotiated against – wrote letters to Variety and The Hollywood Reporter and nearly everyone associated with the NBA or the Lakers simply turned the series off in disgust.

Truth be told, West was a very intense and complicated human being, some of which he explained himself in his autobiography “West on West,” which is highly recommended. I first worked with West in 1982 and gradually got to know him over 42 more years.

Not once did I hear him utter a curse. Not once did I see him disrespect a colleague, co-worker or fan. Not once did I see him act in any way other than as the classy, smart, gentlemanly, opinionated and interesting person he was. Many of West’s interviews – especially with Dan Patrick – were the best I’ve ever witnessed, by far. Patrick’s producer Todd Fritz and I would call other great interviews by Dan with the highest possible compliment of … “entering the Jerry West Zone.” Only a rare few interview subjects ever approached that level. (The one embedded below certainly did).

While I was fortunate to have had a few tremendous chats with West over the years, nothing can compare to the stories and tributes written this week, especially from those who covered the “Showtime Lakers.” I can say, there were a handful of times I found myself off to the side at a basketball Hall of Fame function and I’d look up and see West in the same area, never seeking center stage recognition although everyone in the room believed he earned it and deserved it. He enjoyed hearing updates on mutual friends and he recognized the fact I was very loyal and protective of his lifelong buddy and fellow Hall of Famer, Rod Thorn, a fellow West Virginian who I worked with at the NBA league office for decades. I guess that ranked as well deserved “street cred” in Cabin Creek?

HERE NOW, THE NOTES: To pick up the torch and tell a story which depicted the true, day-to-day, Jerry West, I asked former Wash DC (Bullets/Wizards) basketball man and scout Chuck Douglas if I could borrow his memories posted this week when he heard the terrible news of West’s passing.

Let’s turn the column over to Chuck.

“Jerry West is maybe, the most impactful person in the history of the NBA,” Douglas wrote. “And, one of the greatest figures in American Sports. Quick story, first time I met Jerry West was in Colorado Springs at a USA Basketball training camp to determine the roster for an upcoming Olympic Games. We were on the second level overlooking the practice courts filled with the best college players in the country. I was young, 20-something, and at one of my first NBA scouting assignments.

“Our chairs, by chance, were about 15-feet apart. And, I was thinking holy sh**, that’s Jerry West … aka ‘The Logo.’ But trying and failing at being cool, I think he sensed my uneasiness and said hey ‘Mind if I join, you?’

“He proceeded to introduce himself, and we talked scouting and player development over the next three hours. Long after the tryouts and practice had ended. Just the two of us in an empty USA Basketball gym.

“First thing he asked me is what do you look for in players, as far as their next level prospects. I told him, I can’t explain it well, but, it’s 80% innate feel on my end with 20% skill level and some other measurable talent mixed in. He said, ‘that’s impressive from a young guy just starting out,’ adding that most don’t believe it. But, that his player evaluations were also heavily weighed by his gut feel rather than analytics or anything else considered so obvious. That kind of affirmation plus validation from one of basketball’s great talent evaluators made me feel like I was 10-feet tall and maybe, despite all my insecurities, ‘I can do this.’

“He asked me if I’d like to join him for dinner that evening. And treated me like a long lost friend every time our paths crossed from that day on. Hall of Fame player, one of the greatest front office executives in NBA history. Yet, the man was nothing but gracious, kind and unassuming. He welcomed me from day one, offered me advice, and wanted absolutely nothing in return.

“My Dad’s basketball idol and someone I was in awe of as a colleague, Jerry West was an amazing player and an amazing executive, but he was also an amazing human being.

“The Logo, the icon.

“We lost a legend. No one who loves sports will ever forget you, or anyone who believes the human spirit is inherently good.

“Rest easy Mr. West, Prayers to his wife Karen and family.”

WOW: That says it all. (Special thanks to Chuck as he approved the use of his incredible memory and tribute).

TL’s Sunday Notes | #Grateful4Bill

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By TERRY LYONS, Editor of Digital Sports Desk

BOSTON – The first thing I thought when I heard the terrible Memorial Day news of Bill Walton’s death was of Bill’s wonderful wife, Lori. Then, a flashback, worthy of an Orson Welles Hollywood movie. It came from two summers ago at a Basketball Hall of Fame press conference at Mohegan Sun when Bill and Lori sauntered into the auditorium just as the function began. Bill, ever so politely, asked me to scoot over a bit so the three of us could sit together in a comfortable booth on the venue’s concourse floor. A perfect vantage point.

After all the many years of working with the NBA and alongside of the best of the best in commissioners, executives, coaches, players and media, it meant so much that BILL WALTON felt comfortable enough, welcome enough and secure in our friendship to sit right down and join little old me.

That flashback quickly dissolved into a highlight film, mostly of a player in UCLA Bruins Blue and Gold, but a little highlight reel of two Celtics – Bill and Larry Bird – in Green and White. The UCLA segment first, of course, reelin’ in the years of the famed 21-of-22 FG performance. It was Walton’s greatest game – the 1973 NCAA national championship against Memphis State. Walton, UCLA’s starting center, was in foul trouble in the first half, but went on to score 44 points on 21-for-22 shooting, while he grabbed 13 rebounds, had two assists and a blocked shot in UCLA’s 87-66 victory. It was the school’s ninth title in 10 years.

Fast forward a year, and the Red and White of North Carolina State and David Thompson eeked into the picture, defeating Walton’s Bruins in the NCAA championship of 1974.

In between, on January 26, 1974, John Shumate, Adrian Dantley and Gary Brokaw’s Notre Dame team ended UCLA’s 88-game winning streak with a 71-70 victory in South Bend, Indiana. It was a devastating loss for Walton’s Bruins as they’d drop two more regular season games, their lost weekend of February 15-16, 1974, losing at Oregon State and Oregon on consecutive nights. The NC State game would be their fourth loss vs. 26 wins.

Walton went 86-4 (30-0; 30-0; 26-4) in his college career. If you add the two title-winning seasons, the first 13 games of his senior season at UCLA, his season on the Bruins’ freshman team, and his final two varsity seasons at Helix High School in La Mesa, Walton owned a personal 142-game winning streak.

That thought brought me back to reality and the need to reckon with the fact I’d never see Bill again. The stream of ESPN 30-for-30s airing on my TV screen in tribute further proved the point. The rest of my days, my memories of Bill Walton – playing basketball, talking basketball, talking music or politics or the injustices in this world – would need to air on the reel-to-reel in my mind, tucked right next to the music of the late Jerry Garcia and long ago memories of the Grateful Dead.

Bill and Lori Walton Celebrating Robert Parish – “Hail to the Chief” at TD Boston Garden’s “Tradition” with yours truly (Photo by Steve Lipofsky)

I woke up on May 28, hoping it was a bad dream.

It wasn’t.

Bill Walton’s name sat atop the trending topics of Yahoo news and X. The story of his death was summed up by CBS’ Dana Jacobson in a classy segment on the CBS Morning show. Dan Patrick did a terrific job relaying his feelings for Walton , a frequent guest on the morning radio show, while past appearances of Walton as a guest tied a bow around the three-hour show.

As usual, ESPN’s Jay Bilas had the most compelling commentary, noting Bill would always call him “Jake,” rather than Jay and he wore that like a badge of honor from his basketball idol. Bilas noted he had a list of two people who were welcome in any room at any time and in any situation. Two people who always raised the fun-factor and made everyone smile or laugh when they came on the scene – (former Seton Hall Coach and current college basketball commentator) Bill Raftery and Bill Walton.

Reality kept setting in. It was honest heartache, a feeling of depression and funk, a feeling that I could not shake, although I did my best to “Shake it, Shake it, Sugaree.”

Bill was gone. He’ll be blessed as they play him off to “Fire on the Mountain.” This tribute will bring you right there. It will also bring his friends to tears. MUST WATCH

“Long distance runner, what you holdin’ out for?

Caught in slow motion in a dash for the door

The flame from your stage has now spread to the floor

You gave all you had, why you wanna give more?

The more that you give, the more it will take

To the thin line beyond, which you really can’t fake

Fire! Fire on the mountain

Fire! Fire on the mountain.” – by Mickey Hart and Robert Hunter

ESPN’s art for the three episode 30-for-30 on Bill Walton (ESPN)

Where do we go from here?

As Patrick said as he began his radio show, Bill would never want to be the subject of his friends and family being stuck in a funk, carrying on or crying. He’d prefer we celebrate the fact he was the self-proclaimed luckiest man in the world.

He is. He was. He always will be just that, because Bill will ride off to the sunset, locked in our minds, dancing his way to the next show as “Fire on the Mountain” plays him through the backstage to the exit ramp.

Just from reading all the wonderful tributes written to and about Bill this past week, all of them with the common theme of how he was truly unique, one of one, spirited, generous, and a hundred other wonderful characteristics, there’s still a funky void left in the life of everyone who knew him – and there are thousands of his disciples.

Maybe it’s from the shock. No one in my considerable circle had heard Bill was deathly sick with cancer. He kept it tight. Many had seen him at the 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend and Tech Summit this past February. Maybe it’s the larger than life persona that simply can not be replaced. The outpouring of love and admiration must be of comfort. The soundtrack of the Grateful Dead can act as a shot of morphine to dull the pain. The plentiful supply of UCLA, Portland, San Diego, and Boston highlights supply the memories, along with an endless string of hysterical or profound sound bites and full length interviews.

But it just can’t end.

Surely, there’s deeper meaning to his life, aside from the fact he lifted us in spirit, he lifted us in soul, and he made us all better people and his teammates better players while instilling a super-human spirit of love, love of people, the game of basketball and the world of music – the common denominators for most of those who intersected at Haight-Ashbury or Causeway and Canal.

Delving deeper, from Bill’s book, “Back From the Dead,” the liner notes and reviews read: “In February 2008, Bill Walton suffered a spinal collapse so devastating he was unable to get up. From the time of his spinal collapse until his eventual recovery, he spent most of three years flat on the ground. The pain was excruciating, and he thought seriously about killing himself. But he survived, and Back from the Dead is the story of his injury and recovery, set in the context of his amazing athletic career.

“Walton grew up in southern California in the 1950s and was deeply influenced by the political and cultural upheavals of the 1960s. Although Walton identified strongly with the counterculture, especially in music, the greatest influence on him outside his family was UCLA Coach John Wooden, a thoughtful, precise mentor who seemed immune to the turmoil of the times. The two men would speak every day for forty-three years until Wooden’s death at age ninety-nine.

Wooden once said that no greatness ever came without sacrifice. In this “frequently stirring memoir…Walton’s love for life and the people and things in it – including his college coach, John Wooden – is infectious. You can’t stop reading, or rooting for the man,” wrote Publishers Weekly.

“Back from the Dead shares his dramatic story, including his basketball and broadcasting careers, his many setbacks and rebounds, and his ultimate triumph as the toughest of champions,” concluded Kirkus Reviews.

Walton’s battle with mental health was personal, but he made the decision to make it very public and help others by telling his story – a story that made it very clear just how close he was to taking his own life.

Walton’s death came the same week that NBA coach and TV broadcaster Stan Van Gundy made public that his wife, Kim, died by suicide in August 2023 after battling mental health issues. The same week, PGA Tour golf pro Grayson Murray also died by suicide, just a day after withdrawing from the Charles Schwab Challenge golf tournament in Ft Worth, Texas. Murray had long battled depression and anxiety and was outspoken to the Tour officials to improve its mental health awareness and approach, which it did.

Walton was able to fight off the demons of depression and claw his way back to rejoin his band of NBA colleagues and broadcast partners. His will to live and his love of life, his family, especially his wife, Lori, surely the spiritual guide. But Walton’s final battle was an unwinable match against cancer, a plague that touches us all.

Through his life, his game, his career and his spreading the gospel of hoops, music and an everlasting love for everyone he interacted with along the road, Bill Walton will live on in all of us. Just remember the words to the songs, especially the one Walton quoted most often.

“Now he’s gone, now he’s gone, Lord he’s gone, he’s gone

Like a steam locomotive, rollin’ down the track

He’s gone, gone, nothin’s gonna bring him back… He’s gone,

Nine mile skid on a ten mile ride, hot as a pistol but cool inside

Cat on a tin roof, dogs in a pile

Nothin’ left to do but smile, smile, smile.”

– by Robert Hunter and Jerome Garcia

TL’s Sunday Sports Notes | May 26

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While We’re Young (Ideas) – Memorial Day Weekend

HERE NOW, THE NOTES: While glaciers melt, war is devastating Ukraine, Sudan, the Middle East and gang wars have made Haiti one of the most dangerous places on earth, the troubles of a few hundred people at a sports network can barely be noted.

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The gobs of money for sports programming continues to soar, as sports and (real) breaking news are the only specks of programming not controlled by the DVRs or TV on Demand. The NBA numbers will flourish further when the league inks these new TV deals and some 51%+ flows to player salaries.

Years back, the NBA Players Assn. refused a system of easing-in the new TV deal money into the grand pot of gold to be divided up. Let nature take it course was the presiding viewpoint, that same view that once made Atlanta’s lug of a center – Jon Koncak – forever to be known as Jon Kontract.

NUGGETS & TIDBITS: On the LAX front, the National Lacrosse League (NLL) closed its 37th season right where it ended its 36th – with the Buffalo Bandits claiming championship honors. The Bandits’ championship was the sixth for the franchise, tying the Toronto Rock and Philadelphia Wings for most in NLL history. Buffalo’s Josh Byrne became the fifth player in NLL history to win both the regular season and Finals MVP awards. … On the collegiate side, the NCAA Lacrosse Final Four was held Saturday in Philadelphia. Top-seeded Notre Dame (15-1) advanced to Monday’s 1:00pm final at Lincoln Financial Field and will meet the University of Maryland who defeated No. 6 Virginia, 12-6, in an NCAA semifinal Saturday before an announced crowd of 32,269. ND and Maryland will play for the title Monday.

NBA FINALS DATES: The 2024 NBA Finals Presented by YouTube TV will begin June 6, with ABC as the exclusive broadcaster:

Game 1: Thursday, June 6

Game 2: Sunday, June 9

Game 3: Wednesday, June 12

Game 4: Friday, June 14

*Game 5: Monday, June 17

*Game 6: Thursday, June 20

*Game 7: Sunday, June 23

* if necessary

THE SPORTS EMMYS: It’s always fun to review and re-live some of the greatest sports moments of the year, captured by the talented people who produce, photograph and announce the games. Here are the prominent Sports Emmy winners for 2024:

OUTSTANDING LIVE SPECIAL

Super Bowl LVIII, Kansas City Chiefs vs. San Francisco 49ers (CBS)

OUTSTANDING LIVE SERIES

Monday Night Football with Peyton & Eli (ESPN2/Omaha Productions)

OUTSTANDING PLAYOFF COVERAGE

American League Championship Series, Houston Astros vs. Texas Rangers (FOX/FS1)

OUTSTANDING TECHNICAL TEAM EVENT

Super Bowl LVIII — CBS

OUTSTANDING TECHNICAL TEAM STUDIO

NFL Draft — ESPN/ABC

THE GEORGE WENSEL TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Toy Story Funday Football, DragonFly Tech (DISNEY+/ESPN+/NFL/Next Gen Stats/Beyond Sports/Hawk-Eye)

OUTSTANDING AUDIO/SOUND – LIVE EVENT

FOX NASCAR (FOX/FS1)

OUTSTANDING STUDIO SHOW – WEEKLY

College GameDay (ESPN)

OUTSTANDING STUDIO SHOW – DAILY

MLB Tonight (MLB Network)

OUTSTANDING STUDIO SHOW – LIMITED RUN

Inside the NBA Playoffs on TNT — TNT

OUTSTANDING STUDIO SHOW IN SPANISH

2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup (Telemundo)

OUTSTANDING EDITED EVENT COVERAGE

NFL Game Day All Access, Super Bowl LVIII (YouTube/NFL Films) OUTSTANDING EDITED SPECIAL

You Are Looking Live! (CBS/NFL Films)

OUTSTANDING HOSTED EDITED SERIES

Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel (HBO/Max)

OUTSTANDING ESPORTS CHAMPIONSHIP COVERAGE

League of Legends Worlds 2023 Final, T1 vs. Weibo Gaming (LoLEsports.com/Twitch/YouTube/Riot Games)

OUTSTANDING GRAPHIC DESIGN – EVENT/SHOW

Toy Story Funday Football (DISNEY+/ESPN+/BIG Studios/Beyond Sports/Silver Spoon Animation/PIXAR)

OUTSTANDING GRAPHIC DESIGN – SPECIALTY

Super League: The War for Football (Apple TV+/Words + Pictures/All Rise Films)

OUTSTANDING STUDIO OR PRODUCTION DESIGN/ART DIRECTION

Toy Story Funday Football (DISNEY+/ESPN+/BIG Studios/Beyond Sports/Silver Spoon Animation/PIXAR)

OUTSTANDING INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCE – EVENT COVERAGE

Thursday Night Football: Event Coverage Optionality/Customization (Prime Video/Amazon MGM Studios)

OUTSTANDING DIGITAL INNOVATION

Dreamcaster (MSG Network/MSG+/Weber Shandwick/Helo)

OUTSTANDING SHORT DOCUMENTARY

Extraordinary Stories, One-Armed Wonder: The Extraordinary Story of Jimmy Hasty (UEFA.tv/Noah Media Group)

OUTSTANDING LONG DOCUMENTARY

The Deepest Breath (Netflix/A24/Motive Films/Ventureland)

OUTSTANDING DOCUMENTARY SERIES

Super League: The War for Football (Apple TV+/Words + Pictures/All Rise Films)

OUTSTANDING DOCUMENTARY SERIES – SERIALIZED

Football Must Go On (Paramount+)

OUTSTANDING JOURNALISM

Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel: Call of Duty: How War is Destroying Ukrainian Sport (HBO/Max)

OUTSTANDING SHORT FEATURE

NFL 360, Heroes (NFL Network)

OUTSTANDING LONG FEATURE

Unredeemable (Golf Channel)

OUTSTANDING OPEN/TEASE

Super Bowl LVIII, My Way (CBS)

OUTSTANDING PERSONALITY/STUDIO HOST

Ernie Johnson (TNT/tbs)

OUTSTANDING PERSONALITY/PLAY-BY-PLAY

Mike Breen (ESPN/ABC)

OUTSTANDING PERSONALITY/STUDIO ANALYST

Charles Barkley (TNT)

OUTSTANDING PERSONALITY/ EVENT ANALYST

Greg Olsen (FOX)

OUTSTANDING PERSONALITY/SIDELINE REPORTER

Tracy Wolfson (CBS/TNT)

OUTSTANDING PERSONALITY/EMERGING ON-AIR TALENT

Noah Eagle (NBC/Peacock)

OUTSTANDING CAMERA WORK – SHORT FORM

The NFL Today: Super Bowl LVIII, Just Win Baby! (CBS)

OUTSTANDING CAMERA WORK – LONG FORM

Freeride Skiing, Descendance (YouTube/Legs of Steel)

OUTSTANDING EDITING – SHORT FORM

NHL on TNT, Show and Tell (TNT)

OUTSTANDING EDITING – LONG FORM

Unredeemable (Golf Channel)

THE DICK SCHAAP OUTSTANDING WRITING AWARD – SHORT FORM

NFL 360, Still Here (NFL Network)

OUTSTANDING WRITING – LONG FORM

The World According to Football (Showtime/SHOWTIME Sports Documentary Films/Religion of Sports/Day Zero Productions/Mainstay Entertainment)

OUTSTANDING MUSIC DIRECTION

NBA on TNT, 50 Years of Hip Hop (TNT)

OUTSTANDING AUDIO/SOUND – POST-PRODUCED

Vamos Vegas (YouTube/TORQ)

OUTSTANDING PROMOTIONAL ANNOUNCEMENT

Top Rank Boxing on ESPN, Battle of the Baddest – Rumble (ESPN/ESPN+/Park Pictures)

OUTSTANDING PUBLIC SERVICE CONTENT

Notre Dame Football, What Would You Fight For? (NBC)

OUTSTANDING FEATURE STORY IN SPANISH

Mundo NFL Originals, El Sueño de Cieneguitas (Mundo NFL/Sway/Mundo NFL)

OUTSTANDING ON-AIR PERSONALITY IN SPANISH

Andrés Cantor (Telemundo)

Editorial Note: Due to the increasing number of paid subscribers via Substack, only a limited edition of the Sunday Notes will be posted to Digital Sports Desk.

 

TL’s Sunday Sports Notes | May 5

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While We’re Young (Ideas) Celebrates Cinco de Mayo with General Notes

Neil Patrick Harris – clutching the ‘bigger’ than life TONY (File: Getty Images)

 

By TERRY LYONS, Editor Digital Sports Desk

BOSTON – Everyone has their own Basketball Hall of Fame except the NBA. College Basketball opened its Hall of Fame & Experience in Kansas City while the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame opened in Knoxville. The International game has its hall in Switzerland. Only the NBA and WNBA have remained loyal to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in the birthplace of basketball, Springfield, Massachusetts.

The BHofF in Springfield proudly claims to represent all levels of the sport, and it regularly honors high school, collegiate, professional, wheelchair, international and contributors to the game at all levels – both men and women.

FIBA (Federation for International Basketball) recently announced their Class of 2024 and its a good one with the USA’s Reggie Miller and Serbian favorite Predrag Stojakovic the two standout names rightfully honored for induction.

FIBA’s Official Induction announcement poster (file: FIBA.com)

The Class will be feted during the enshrinement ceremony, scheduled to be in Singapore in September. A total of seven players and one coach are being formally recognized for their outstanding contributions to the sport.

Said the official FIBA announcement: “Miller is a former Olympic and FIBA Basketball World Cup winner with USA who was especially revered for his NBA contributions across an amazing 18 seasons in the league. He tallied a spectacular 25,000 points, helped by 2560 three-pointers and that contributed to an eye-catching five NBA All-Star appearances.

“The Serbian, often referred to simply as ‘Peja’ won the FIBA Basketball World Cup gold medal in 2002 with Yugoslavia, as well as a FIBA EuroBasket title in 2001 when he was crowned MVP. Also an Olympian, Stojakovic attained plenty of success at club level, most notably winning an NBA Championship in 2011 with Dallas Mavericks. A three-time NBA All-Star, he also won the NBA Three-Point Contest twice.

“Latvian Skaidrite Smildzina-Budovska conquered the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup three times and the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket five times with Soviet Union. China’s three-time Olympian Miao Lijie starred at four editions of the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup and Croatian ace Danira Nakic-Bilic lit it up with Yugoslavia, competing in title games at the Olympics, the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup and FIBA Women’s EuroBasket.

Other inductees include Kirk Penney, who is being honored for serving New Zealand with distinction at two Olympic Games and four FIBA Basketball World Cups, while African basketball can celebrate Central African Republic colossus Romain Sato being on the list. The guard attained huge success at club level, including titles in Euroleague, Eurocup, the Spanish League and also four Italian championships.

Finally, American (turned Italian) play-caller Dan Peterson flies the flag for coaches in the 2024 Class. He masterminded the European Cup for Champion Clubs silverware in 1987 with Olimpia Milano, just two years after delivering the FIBA Korac Cup. Peterson also amassed five Italian titles and a host of individual coaching accolades.

Created in 2007, the FIBA BASKETBALL Hall of Fame has enshrined 184 outstanding Hall of Famers from 45 countries and all five continents to date. Its home is the Patrick Baumann House of Basketball in Mies, Switzerland.

Class of 2024: Players

Miao Lijie (China)

Reggie Miller (USA)-(UCLA-Indiana Pacers)

Danira Nakic-Bilic (Croatia)

Kirk Samuel Penney (New Zealand)

Romain Sato (Central African Republic)

Skaidrite Smildzina-Budovska (Latvia)

Predrag “Peja” Stojakovic (Serbia)-(Sacramento Kings)

Class of 2024: Coach

Daniel “Dan” Peterson (USA)-(Italy)-(Milan)

The Keeper of the Cup is Miragh Bitove (Hockey HofF)

HERE NOW, THE NOTES: For the first time in history, the Keeper of the Stanley Cup is a woman. Miragh Bitove, archivist at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto has been tabbed as the caretaker of the greatest trophy in sports. An art history and museum management major in college, Bitove went on to work as a Hall of Fame intern in 2003 before parlaying that into a job as an archivist at the venue. Now, 11 years later, she is the first woman in the role of the guardian of the Stanley Cup and general overseer on its annual celebration tour. … Each summer, the winners of the Cup, who have their name inscribed on the trophy, are able to take the Cup for a day – usually bringing it to their hometown – no matter how far away it might be. “Nothing like it,” she said to the AP. “There’s a glow.” … Phil Pritchard, the Hall of Fame’s vice president and the “Keeper of the Cup,” remembers when Bitove first arrived in the building. … “She had all the interest, all the background, everything that we’re looking for,” he said. “When you get someone like that, you don’t want to lose them.” … Bitove also has the game in her blood. While never a hockey player herself, the family tree includes great uncle Ted Kennedy, who won the Cup five times with the Toronto Maple Leafs between 1945 and 1951.

NUGGETS AND TIDBITS: The United Football League was formed this spring after the merger of the XFL and USFL. The new spring league operates under the combined ownership of RedBird Capital Partners, FOX (FOX Sports), Dany Garcia and Dwayne Johnson. The UFL currently has eight teams based in eight US cities, including: Arlington (TX), Birmingham (AL), Detroit (MI), Houston (TX), San Antonio (TX), Memphis (TN), St. Louis (MO), and Washington (DC).

The UFL is entering its sixth week of play and has yet to crack the code of success enjoyed by the NFL and the other traditional leagues and the spring football concept always seems far out of place, especially with the NBA and NHL Playoffs heating up and MLB in full swing.

Add to challenge for the rest of the summer and you’ll note the WNBA is opening training camps this weekend and everyone’s favorite superstar, Kaitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever, opening with a road game in Frisco, Texas. That game was streamed on the WNBA App and the Fever’s first home preseason game was postponed due to an Indiana Pacers playoff game.

If the UFL goes up in flames, the concept of spring football will have run the gamut of the entire alphabet from the WLAF (World League) in Europe, and rapid-fire through (Donald’s Trump’s very own) USFL to the publicity strong XFL where “He Hate Me” – aka Rod Smart – started with the Las Vegas Outlaws and bounced around to five other pro franchises before taking his degree in kinesiology and setting sail.

The UFL uses up the final life of the cat called spring football. If this entity goes under, the NFL and its remote affiliates will need to re-think their approach to player development.The league is opening offices and shopping TV all across the globe. The NFL has strongholds in Germany and to a lesser extent in England/Scotland/Ireland.

Yet, unlike soccer and basketball, American football, as a participation sport, is not played very much outside of the United States and Canada.

If the current reiteration of the sport doesn’t translate to sales and TV eyeballs, the UFL might stand for and add to the Unemployment Fookin’ Line.

NBA’s BEST, TAKE 1ST ROUND EXIT: Sixty percent of the very best and most productive NBA scorers from the 2023-24 regular season have been eliminated from the ‘24 NBA Playoffs. Using the proven formula of adding the positive stats and subtracting missed shots shows that only four of the Top 10 in the league have advanced to the NBA Conference Semi-Finals.

Player, Team, Formula (Positive/Efficiency per game)

  1. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee, 41.192
  2. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia, 41.105
  3. Luka Doncic, Dallas, 40.786
  4. Nikola Jokic, Denver, 40.416
  5. Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento, 36.000
  6. Anthony Davis, LA Lakers, 33.095
  7. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City, 32.986
  8. LeBron James, LA Lakers, 32.667
  9. Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns, 29.877
  10. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics, 29.703

LAX SELECTION SHOW TIDBIT: The NCAA brackets for the 2024 Men’s Lacrosse Tournament will be announced today, May 5, at 9:30 pm on ESPN2. … No. 2 Johns Hopkins was upset by Michigan in the BIG 10 semifinals on Thursday. Notre Dame, the unanimous No. 1 in the USA, will play in its fourth straight ACC Championship title game when the Irish take on No. 6 Duke at Noon ET on today, May 5 in Charlotte at American Legion Memorial Stadium. The Fighting Irish have advanced to the title game in five of the last seven ACC Tournaments. The game will air on ACC Network.

KENTUCKY DERBY: It seems like just weeks ago that the 100th running of the Kentucky Derby took place and the favorite, Cannonade, rode to victory. Saturday, it was Mint Juleps for everyone as the 150th Kentucky Derby was run at Churchill Downs in Louisville and Mystik Dan (18-1) was the winner in a three horse photo finish, one of the tightest in the history of the horse race. Mystik Dan paid $39.22, $16.32 and $10. Sierra Leone returned $6.54 and $4.64. Forever Young was another nose back in third and paid $5.58 to show.

Need the official recipe for the Official Mint Julep?

  • 2 cups sugar (for Simple Syrup)
  • 2 cups water (for Simple Syrup)
  • Sprigs of fresh mint (Flavor Simple Syrup overnight)
  • Fill Glass with Crushed ice
  • 1 Tablespoon Simple Syrup
  • 2 ounces of Kentucky Bourbon Whisky of Choice

Make simple or complicated syrup by boiling sugar and water together for five minutes. Cool and place in a covered container with six or eight sprigs of fresh mint, then refrigerate overnight.

Make one julep at a time by filling a julep glass with crushed ice, adding one tablespoon mint syrup and two ounces of the Kentucky Whisky.

Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.

PODCASTING: Your favorite columnist participated in a special podcast which originated across the pond. Listen in.

Terry Lyons: NBA Growth & Navigating The Sports World

https://www.podbean.com/ep/pb-3y8aq-15d5f41

TL’s Sunday Sports Notes | April 14

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While We’re Young (Ideas) | Best Day in Boston | Patriots’ Day

By TERRY LYONS, Editor of Digital Sports Desk

BOSTON – The Red Sox went 7-3 over their first 10 games of the season and then bottomed out to lose four in a row before Saturday’s 7-2 win over the LA Angels. The Sox opened 1-4 at Fenway, but it’s far too early to be scoreboard-watching in Baseball.

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The Bruins are fighting through the last few regular season games with the goal to finish at the top of their Atlantic Division, their Eastern Conference and possibly the entire National Hockey League.

Meanwhile, the Celtics are cruising to the finale of the regular season today (Sunday, April 14) and will await their #8 seed opponent via the NBA’s nifty “Play-In Tournament” which takes place April 16-19 and eliminates two teams in each Conference. The “Play-In” can be a little dangerous, as Miami proved last season advancing from the No. 8 spot after winning their play-in and advancing all the way through to the 2023 NBA Finals before running into Denver’s amazing Nikola Jokić who became the first player in NBA history to lead the NBA Playoffs in points (600), rebounds (269), and assists (190) in a single postseason. He won NBA Finals MVP honors as the Nuggets took their first NBA crown.

It seems to happen every spring. The sports collide with the winter activities at TD Garden in the North End hitting playoff heights while the Red Sox break out the bats on freshly sodded grass at Fenway Park, the most beloved ballpark in the land.

There’s no stopping, as one of the gems in collegiate sports was held in St. Paul, Minnesota this weekend and Boston was very well represented. Both Boston University and Boston College advanced to the Frozen Four of men’s college ice hockey. Each team was ranked either No. 1 or No. 2 in the nation all winter long, but it was the University of Denver and their goalkeeper, Matt Davis, who beat the Bostons (2-1, OT over BU) and (2-0 over BC in the championship game) to claim Most Outstanding Player in the Frozen Four.

BC advanced to the final by blanking a highly rated Michigan team, 4-0, on Thursday night.

NUGGETS AND TIDBITS: How about a few other tidbits?

BU’s 17-year old goal-scoring machine, Macklin Celebrini, took home the Hobey Baker Award as hockey’s best player while Hockey Canada announced that Boston Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney was named General Manager of Team Canada for the 2025 NHL 4 Nations Face-Off and he’ll stay on as Assistant General Manager for Canada’s 2026 Men’s Ice Hockey Team at the Olympics.

Up in Maine this Monday, the Oklahoma City Blue will face the Maine Celtics in the third and final game of the 2024 G-League Finals to be held at 9:00pm (ET) at the Portland (Maine) Expo (Game televised by ESPNU).

Then, there’s one other big sporting event in Boston at Springtime. It’s staged on the Patriots’ Day holiday in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts – a State holiday only celebrated in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, and North Dakota on April 15, and in Florida and Wisconsin on April 19.

The 128th running of the Boston Marathon takes place this Monday, April 15, starting way out in Hopkinton, Mass and winding its way to the finish line in Boston, right where Back Bay meets Copley.

This all happens as the New England Patriots are ready to reload at the quarterback position on Thursday, April 25 when they exercise their third overall pick in the annual NFL Draft of collegiate talent. All mock drafts have the Patriots grabbing the third consecutive quarterback to come off the draft board with Chicago picking USC’s Caleb Williams, the Washington Commanders choosing Jayden Daniels of LSU with the second overall pick, leaving North Carolina’s Drake Maye to fall to the Patriots (unless they finagle a trade or two – moving down is more likely than moving up).

Magnolia Lane

While all those Boston-centric events create quite a buzz in New England every spring, there’s another event this weekend which might be on EVERYONE’s Bucket List and it’s only New England connection is the fact native son, Keegan Bradley, is good enough to play. The annual playing of the first Major golf tournament of the season when the very best PGA Tour and LIV Golf players head to Augusta National to play in The Masters.

The 330 yard ride past 61 Magnolia trees on each side of Magnolia Lane is reserved for a very select group of pro golfers and a few amateurs each year. The course is perfect, but sometimes the weather and the wind – not so much.

One very specific aspect of the annual Masters Tournament stands out. It is “a tradition unlike any other,” according to CBS’ voice of the Masters Jim Nantz, but the tradition starts with – perhaps – the greatest promotion of all-time.

At its lowest, it is merely a photo op.

At its highest, it is the single most wonderful, historic, symbolic and meaningful opening curtain in all the world of sport.

It is better than any ceremonial first pitch in baseball, an honorary tip-off in basketball or the ceremonial drop of a puck in ice hockey. It beats fire works or bands playing.

At The Masters, play does not begin until Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tom Watson (it was Arnold Palmer instead of Watson before Arnie’s death). The last “real” Big 3 was in 2015 when Palmer participated in his final ceremonial tee-off as the “starters” to the Masters Tournament and 2016 when he participated but did not drive the golf ball (see below).

There is no better tribute and Palmer’s memory comes to mind every April as the tournament begins. Sometime soon, Tiger Woods will join the ceremony, hopefully making it a foursome before one of the legends pass away.

REMINDER: Tonight, CBS will put you in the front row to see Billy Joel perform his record-breaking 100th consecutive residency performance at Madison Square Garden, which took place last month on March 28th. Experience the very best of Long Island’s Piano Man as he plays his career-spanning hits at The World’s Most Famous Arena. Tune in to watch the legacy-defining concert tonight – April 14th – at 9:00pm ET on CBS and streaming on Paramount+

THE VAULT: The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame has a brand new exhibit coming to the museum this summer titled The Vault: Boston Celtics Unlocked. This innovative and immersive experience will be unlike anything the Basketball Hall of Fame has previously produced. The Hall of Fame has collaborated with the NBA’s most storied franchise to present this inaugural installation of The Vault.

Set in an immersive Bank Vault, Celtics legends from the past and present will take visitors on an epic journey to discover the true meaning of Celtic Pride. The Vault will feature authentic game-worn jerseys, championship rings, and the original ’81 NBA NBA championship trophy – before it was called “the Larry.” Also, the Hall and NBA Entertainment will post long-lost footage of the Celtics.

BRADY BACK? – Former New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady teased his audience in a podcast this week, opening the door for a possible return to the NFL if the situation is right.

Brady said he wouldn’t rule out un-retiring (again), to play for either the Patriots or Raiders. What are the chances?

SportsBetting.ag has set odds on Brady’s potential return, and they are not all that great. The odds imply just a 25% probability the GOAT will be on a roster in Week 1. Additionally, there are odds for which team Brady will play for, but it’s a two-way market between the two clubs he mentioned yesterday.

Will Tom Brady be on NFL roster in Week 1?

Yes +300

No -500

Which team will Tom Brady be on in Week 1?

Patriots -140

Raiders +100

MIKE GORMAN DAY: Boston Mayor Michelle Wu proclaimed that today, April 14, will be Mike Gorman Day in the City of Boston, according to a news release issued by the Mayor’s office of Boston. The beloved Boston Celtics broadcaster has been the team play-by-play man since joining former Celtics player and coach, the late TommyHeinsohn, in the broadcast booth in 1981.

Retiring from the role at the end of the team’s 2024 playoffs, Gorman is being feted by Boston fans, media, and the team itself. “Mike Gorman has made an impact across generations of Celtics fans, families, and visitors throughout his 40 plus years as the voice of the Boston Celtics,” said Wu.

“His passion, intellect, and ability to make every fan feel special and locked in for the whole game is unmatched,” added the Mayor. “Congratulations Mike! I look forward to celebrating and honoring your contributions to our city this Sunday.”

With the national TV obligations for the NBA, local broadcasts will be limited and Gorman’s last game is likely to be Game 2 of the first round of the NBA Playoffs (approx. April 23rd).

NO SPORTS GAMBLIN’ IN GA and the ATL: Georgia remained one of 12 states not to have some form of sports wagering when the state’s Rules Committee declined to consider two bills this week. The state’s House Higher Education Committee moved forward two amended sports betting bills on Thursday, one a state constitutional amendment and the other that would have enabled legislation, according to iGamingBusiness. But those bills never made it to the House. … This week’s action becomes the fourth time Georgia lawmakers considered legalizing sports wagering since 2021 without ultimately getting two-third approval in both the state House and Senate. … Georgia’s proposed constitutional amendment, named SR 579, was recently been amended to include up to $22.5 million to promote responsible gambling through tax revenue. … While Georgia appeared the closest to becoming the next state to legalize sports wagering, efforts continue in Minnesota, where multiple bills have been introduced. Missouri is moving toward placing a sports wagering on the November ballot.

Just think of what kind of money would’ve been generated if Georgia opened its sports gambling just in time for The Masters.

By the way, when the professional golfers play practice rounds at Augusta National or East Lake CC for $200-$2,000 a hole, does that count? Let’s ask Full Swing to run the tape?

TL’s Sunday Sports Notes | April 7

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While We’re Young (Ideas) on Sox Opening Day | + HoopHall

There’s NOTHING like Opening Day at Fenway Park (DSD file photo)

By TERRY LYONS, Editor of Digital Sports Desk

BOSTON – This coming Tuesday at 2pm, the city of Boston will – pretty much – shut down when the Red Sox play the Baltimore Orioles in the Sox (home) Opening Day match-up. The game will come after Boston completes a 12-game road trip to begin their season.

The Red Sox will return to Fenway with a winning record but minus their shortstop and No. 3 hitter, Trevor Story, who left Friday’s game against the LA Angels with a dislocated left shoulder. Story was placed on the 10-day DL on Saturday after MRI tests confirmed the injury, suffered when Story dove to field a Mike Trout grounder.

Story, 31, started each of the Red Sox’ first eight games, going 7-for-31 (.226) with four RBI and three walks. The Te Sox.exas native has batted .265 (892-for-3,368) with 177 home runs and 124 stolen bases in 890 career games with the Colorado Rockies (2016-21) and Red Sox (2022-24).

Taking a step back to analyze the 2024 Major League Baseball season, there’s no better way than to turn the keys over to the ESPN Sunday Night Baseball announce team who recently previewed the season in a special media conference call. Participating were play-by-play commentator Karl Ravech, analyst and five-time World Series champion David Cone and popular ESPN analyst Eduardo Pérez.

First, opinions on the Red Sox:

“As a Needham, Mass kid growing up in Boston and knowing how impactful ’04 was and given the success of the Celtics and Bruins and of course the Patriots, the Red Sox have had an opportunity to stay relevant relative to those other teams,” said Ravech to get the call rolling. “For some reason here, this season in particular, they have chosen to stand pat while other teams in the division seemingly have moved past them and the Yankees with what they’ve done and the success that the Orioles and their youth. It would tax me to remember a season, and I am 59 now, going into it where the level of optimism was so low regarding their chances,” added Ravech.

“On the other side of that, to his great credit, (Sox Manager) Alex Cora and the players inside that clubhouse will take the — well, you’ll see – approach. “Let us play it out and see where it goes. But it’s been a very, very interesting play given they brought Craig Breslow in there, and you figure every time there’s a change like that, the purse strings will be let out a little bit. That seems to not have happened.

“It’s a hard one to look at and think that they’re going to finish better than last place. That’s an odd way to go into a summer in New England,” said Ravech.

Perez jumped in: “The one thing about the Red Sox is we’re not used to seeing such a young team on the field. Trevor Story is the oldest position player out there right now at 31 years of age. Everyone else just seems to be 28 or younger.

“Ceddanne Rafaela is going to be an interesting young player to watch. I think you look at first baseman Tristan Casas with the second half of the season that he had last year. I expect him to continue to grow from that and to be that type of impact player at first base.

But it’s going to come down to their defense. You look at their infield, will Devers be able to continue to play at a high level. We know that he can do it offensively. He needs to make those routine plays at third, and then that way you have Story and Rafael Devers on that left side of the infield.

But it’s just a younger team. Even when it comes to the pitching, it’s younger, as well.

Only two guys on the roster 31 years of age or older. I think that’s going to play. But at the same time, it could be a long season for Boston considering that division, the way it’s set up.

But I don’t put anything past Alex Cora. I don’t. Last year I thought it was one of his best years of managing, and look where they finished. It didn’t really impact their standings, yet I thought he managed last year as well as anyone could have managed a team like that in a situation like that.”

What does David Cone think?

“I completely agree with Eduardo,” said Cone. “I think quietly the Red Sox – under the radar – have a good young nucleus brewing there. I think (injured 2B) Vaughn Grissom is going to be a big deal for them. we’ll see how he pans out in Boston to kind of fit into that young nucleus.

“Casas is for real at first base. He’s going to continue to get better. I think he’s a monster. He’s had another good spring. I think he’s poised for a big year.

“Obviously their outfield in Jarren Duran if he can take another big step, and as Eduardo said, Ceddanne Rafaela, what kind of talent he has, if he can take the next step.

“But quietly they have a good position player nucleus,” added Cone. “The pitching side, a little different. Brayan Bello is good. He was kind of anchor the rotation, and the extension they signed him to is a big deal, but losing Giolito was a huge blow for them. They need some veteran presence in that rotation and Giolito was a big blow.

Pitching is going to be tough for them this year, but on the position player side they have a good nucleus potentially brewing.”

Perez believes Manager Alex Cora is the key to the Sox.

“(Alex) loves the fact that his outfield is a lot more athletic with Rafaela at center, Duran at right, and also you have Tyler O’Neill, who’s a Gold Glover in left field in a shorter left field at bat. If he can come into the guy that was a couple years ago in St. Louis, you have a very dynamic outfield at least that can run it back in a way. You’ll be able to get some outs out of that. And then with a young core, as I said earlier, I think it’ll play.

“Alex makes everybody better,” said Perez. “I remember (former Reds Manager) Sparky Anderson one time telling me at the Otesaga Hotel in Cooperstown, if you can get the players to get to the ballpark and get to the ballpark to perform, leaving their homes and leaving their families and wanting to be at the ballpark, Alex has that knack.

“He’s got that ability of wanting to get there and being able to see not only him but see the entire core nucleus of the team. That’s a gift. That’s a gift that he has and players love playing for him.

“I think that that’s going to play this year, especially with the young core of guys that they have, and I think the Red Sox fans will enjoy the athleticism that they’re going to provide this year compared to the last couple years as long as they stay healthy.”

HERE NOW, THE NOTES: The 2023-24 college basketball season is coming to a close and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame has announced their inductees and honorees.

The gigantic Class of 2024 was announced as the basketball world convened in Phoenix for the Men’s Final Four.

Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame – Class of 2024

North American Committee (in alphabetical order): Chauncey Billups, Vince Carter, Michael Cooper, Walter Davis, Bo Ryan, Charles Smith

Women’s Committee: Seimone Augustus

Men’s Veteran Committee: Dick Barnett

Women’s Veteran Committee: Harley Redin

International Committee: Michele Timms

Contributors Committee: Doug Collins, Herb Simon, Jerry West

The best players in the collegiate game were recognized on Saturday. Here’s the scoop:

“The Basketball Hall of Fame is proud to celebrate the best in the game at every level, both men and women,” said John L. Doleva, President of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. “The student-athletes who receive our Starting Five Awards are a true reflection of the Hall of Famers for whom the awards are named, both in terms of their character and abilities on the court. We are honored to recognize this remarkable group of people, and we know they will continue to achieve success wherever they go. We honor their accomplishments today and name them the Men’s and Women’s 2024 Naismith Starting Five.”

2024 Men’s Naismith Starting Five:

  • Tristen Newton (UConn) – Bob Cousy (Point Guard) Award
  • RJ Davis (North Carolina) – Jerry West (Shooting Guard) Award
  • Dalton Knecht (Tennessee) – Julius Erving (Small Forward) Award
  • Jaedon LeDee (San Diego State) – Karl Malone (Power Forward) Award
  • Zach Edey (Purdue) – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Center) Award

2024 Women’s Naismith Starting Five:

  • Caitlin Clark (Iowa) – Nancy Lieberman (Point Guard) Award (Three-time winner)
  • JuJu Watkins (USC) – Anne Meyers Drysdale (Shooting Guard) Award
  • Madison Booker (Texas) – Cheryl Miller (Small Forward) Award
  • Kiki Iriafen (Stanford) – Katrina McClain (Power Forward) Award
  • Cameron Brink (Stanford) – Lisa Leslie (Center) Award

“To be a three-time recipient of the Nancy Lieberman Award is truly humbling. Being selected as this season’s honoree is special with the number of talented and skilled point guards across the country. One of the pioneers in our sport, I would not be where I am today without Nancy,” said Caitlin Clark, the ‘22, ‘23 and ‘24 Nancy Lieberman Award Winner.

NUGGETS AND TIDBITS: While the focus of the basketball-loving world turned to NCAA March Madness (for both men’s and women’s games), the NBA takes a side step in what is known as the dog days of the season, but each game day is as important as can be as the NBA Playoffs loom closer and closer. … The regular season ends on April 14. The (SoFi) Play-In Tournament goes from April 16-19 and then the full round of NBA Playoffs begin on April 20. … Here are some other key dates for the NBA:

  • May 6-7 (possible move-up to May 4-5) – Conference SemiFinals
  • May 12 – NBA Draft Lottery (Chicago)
  • May 12-19 – NBA Draft Combine
  • May 21-22 (possible move-up to May 19-20) – Conference Finals
  • June 6 – 23 – NBA Finals
  • June 26-27 – NBA Draft
  • July 12-22 – NBA Summer League
  • July 27 – August 10 – Men’s Basketball at the Paris Olympic Games
  • July 28 – August 11 – Women’s Basketball at the Paris Olympic Games

BIG NUMBERS: With all the well deserved hype and attention focused on women’s basketball this season, it might sound trite to say that the 2024 Women’s Final Four might go down as the most important event in the history of women’s sports. Many might cite the 1973 Battle of the Sexes Super Match between tennis Hall of Famers Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs as the most important milestone for women in sports. Back in ‘73, the 29-year old King dashed the 55-year old former Wimbledon and U.S. Championship (now US Open) title holder in straight sets (6-4, 6-3, 6-3) to earn a $100,000 ‘winner-take-all’ prize.

While that tennis challenge was a one-time gimmick, and a well orchestrated gimmick at that, the overall impact was minimal. The fact was that women’s tennis was well on its way to the upper echelon of sports because of the likes of King, Margaret Court, Evonne Goolagong and the incredibly popular Chris Evert. By 1975, one of the greatest rivalries in sports history was created when Martina Navratilova and Evert began a 14-year run of Grand Slam tournament battles which captured the attention of a truly global audience.

This year, the impact and all-around skills of Caitlin Clark brought millions of fans and curious television viewers to plug into the sport of women’s hoops.

The question remains: Can Clark bring those fans with her when she joins the WNBA this summer? The WNBA has been around since 1997 and it’s enjoyed success over the years, joining tennis and the LPGA golf circuit as highly engaging sports properties. But, can Clark keep the incredible momentum flowing and bring millions of fans to the TV screen for the pro game and, maybe, the Summer Olympics?

Clark is not on the current USAWNT roster but can be added by USA Basketball at any time. Clark has participated before, winning MVP honors while representing the USA at the 2021 U-19 World Championship.

SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE: While all the hype of college hoops and the all-time great TV ratings brought on by Caitlin Clark and her Iowa Hawkeyes team, the NBA can still state the claim to be supreme in the area of player social media popularity. Take a look:

When USA Basketball was planning the season long tour for the 1996 USA Basketball Women’s National Team (coming on the amazing success and global popularity of the incredible ‘92 USA Basketball Dream Team, the NBA marketing team working on behalf of USA Basketball was looking for a catchy team moniker for the USA Women.

Ahem, yours truly stepped in and suggested the “Supreme Team,” with thoughts that we could clear some great Motown tunes of Diana Ross and The Supremes and just run with it. No dice. The idea was shot down by the ultra-conservative muckety-mucks (Thanks Tara) as being a bit too much and risking embarrassment if the USA Women fell short. Well, as we know the USA Women went (8-0) in the ‘96 Atlanta Olympic Games, winning the gold and being tagged as the greatest team in women’s sports history. Combining the Olympics with the tune-up tour the national team took part in leading into the ‘96 Games, the club went 95-0.

Beyond Supreme.

ESPN blew it, too, as they tagged their 30-for-30 documentary, “Dream On,” a great son by Aerosmith, but it was about an aging star – halfway through life or further – knowing the fact the good Lord would soon take the man in the mirror away.

The USA BASKETBALL “Supreme Team” would’ve lived on in infamy.

PARTING WORDS & MUSIC: There’s always been something about the Chicago Cubs that this columnist admires. Long before first setting foot in Wrigley Field on an off-day of an NBA Playoff series, and later partying with friends on a Rooftop in Right Field, I watched the Cubs and Mets do battle for the National League pennant. I truly admired Ernie Banks, Ron Santo and Fergy Jenkins, among others, but wasn’t too fond of manager Leo Durocher until someone at Shea Stadium tossed a “Black Cat” in his path right in front of the visiting dugout at Shea and the Mets outlasted the Cubs to clinch a place in the 1969 World Series.

Like the Metsies, Red Sox, the Cubbies were the Lonesome Losers, the Lovable Losers, the Frustrating as Hell Losers. We loved them all the same.

Folk singer and songwriter in Chicago’s own Steve Goodman wrote about his love for the Cubs in a sad and terribly introspective song as he stared down a terminal Leukemia diagnosis. This song was his memorial tribute:

This song was Steve Goodman’s claim to well-deserved fame as a legend in Chicago:

It’s performed by the great Arlo Guthrie.

While We’re Young (Ideas) is a weekly Sunday Sports Notebook and news column written by Terry Lyons. The posting of each notebook harkens back to the days when you’d walk over to the city news stand on Saturday night around 10pm to pick-up a copy of the Sunday papers. Inside, just waiting, was a sports-filled compilation of interesting notes, quotes and quips.

TL’s Sunday Sports Notes is brought to you by Digital Sports Desk.

TL’s Sunday Sports Notes | Madness

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By TERRY LYONS, Editor of Digital Sports Desk

BOSTON – Here we are right inside the belly of the BIG EAST, the NCAA East Regional where the University of Connecticut is playing NBA-style basketball while everyone else is trying out for the 5th Grade CYO team. This isn’t the “Chess vs Checkers” thing, it’s more like real NASA Rocket Science compared to Freshman Biology and first-time users of a Bunson Burner.

UConn doesn’t bring a machete to a knife fight, they bring vice grips. UConn is so good, Hall of Fame coach Larry Brown couldn’t find a flaw during a three-hour practice. If they’re down four points, they stay the course like a George W. Bush Rose Garden speech. The four point deficit soon becomes a two point lead, then six, then eight, then 12 – and here in Boston – then 30!

Dan Hurley, the son of a Hall of Fame coach (Bob Hurley, Sr. of St. Anthony’s High School in north Jersey), calls time out and applies the vice grip strategy, adjusts the after-burners and senior guard Cam Spencer takes it from there. If Spencer isn’t ready to score, or he’s closely guarded, the screens are set to perfection and the ball goes into 7-foot-2 sophomore center Donovan Clingan. If that doesn’t work or if the bigman is in foul trouble, UConn goes to their best scorer and shooter, in 6-foot-5 senior guard Tristan Newton.

Pick your poison. Fast.

“This is as dominant as a team can be,” said former NBA coach Stan Van Gundy after UConn went on a relentless second half run at TD Garden.

Let’s count the way: The score was tied at 23-all with 1:51 remaining in the first half. It was 26-23 in favor of UConn at the half.

The next time Illinois scored, the clock read 12:39 remaining in the game and the score was FIFTY THREE to 25. That was a 30-to-two run from that 1:51 mark for you math majors out there.

The final score was 77-52, after Hurley cleared the bench in the waning moments of the biggest ass-kicking we’ve seen since Mike Tyson knocked out Michael Spinks (91 seconds) in 1988.

Aside from the obvious talent and depth, and the fact UConn is very well coached and in condition, the Huskies don’t panic. In any game, never mind Saturday night’s clinic. Close game at the half? To start the second half, they adjust. Then, they play like champions – which they are, of course, as they try to become the first college basketball team to repeat since the Al Horford/Joakim Noah era Florida Gators, coached by another diminutive point guard in Billy Donovan, the Rick Pitino-schooled three-point maven from Providence College.

What did yet another Hall of Famer, Rudy T, say about champions?

“Don’t EVER underestimate the heart of a champion.”

Aside from Lew Alcindor/KAJ’s UCLA teams, Bill Walton’s UCLA teams and the last of the undefeated (30-0) Indiana team of Kent Benson-Quinn Buckner fame, college basketball hasn’t seen anything like this UConn team.

Since it’s Elite 8 time this weekend, it’s not prudent (again quoting a Bush family President?) to predict what will happen when the Final Four convenes in Glendale, Arizona with the exception that No. 1 overall seed Connecticut will be the team to beat, the favorites and the only school in the building with 13 pairs of vice grips, one for Coach Hurley and the others for 12 talented, disciplined players who rolled through the BIG EAST and should shine again when their shining moment comes in the Valley of the Sun.

HERE NOW, THE NOTES: On the women’s side of NCAA Basketball Bracketville, there’s an equally talented UConn team but the incredible parity of the high-level women’s tournament makes it impossible to predict.

That’s good.

Call it the way you see it – Is coach Dawn Staley’s South Carolina team ready to accept another crown (adding to 2017 and 2022)? SC will play upstart Oregon State (today/Sunday) at 1:00pm EDT on ABC.

LSU will face Iowa State in a battle of the two most publicized women’s teams, with LSU defending their 2023 NCAA championship against a team they defeated in the Final Four (final game), 102-85, last April 2nd.

Texas will face NC State and a half-a-handful of others will compete this weekend for the right to survive and move on.

All good, right?

Nope.

We’ve got one coach – an odd one, bedazzled in her sequined Purple, Gold and whatever other colors are in the Louisiana State sky – who thinks she’s above the rest of us. She used the pulpit of an NCAA postgame interview room setting to call out a journalist from the Washington Post. In doing so, she called more attention to a story (posted Saturday) than anything published by any outlet that’s ever written a word about women’s basketball.

The coach (LSU’s Ms. Kim Mulkey) threatened lawsuits against a story she hadn’t yet seen/read because it hadn’t even been published at the time of her attempted preemptive strike – let’s call it a rant – in front of a captive audience of media trying to cover a simple basketball game.

Coach Mulkey is supposedly an educator of young minds. The administrators of Louisiana State University pay her good money and place a lot of athletes, basketball players and non-athlete students in her care and oversight.

?But, face facts, no Ph D, no administrator, no parent of a college student should allow Ms. Mulkey anywhere near their schools or kids. In addition, the Journalism Department at LSU should be calling for her dismissal. Mulkey’s actions were selfish and disruptive, and they show no respect for the Journalism Industry or the game of basketball.

Instead of wrapping a fish in a story she didn’t want to see written, Mulkey has taken the “Circle the Wagons” approach to attempt to galvanize her team in the “Us vs The World” style of B.S. coaching. After the Washington Post story dropped (in essence it sounded like a feather hitting a mattress), Mulkey decided to double-down and criticize the Los Angeles Times. The next thing you know, she’ll complain that one of her assistant coaches was booed at a “Hamilton the Musical” production or claim the final score of one of her games was rigged by machines.

It’s that bad.

Mulkey has ruined the 2024 Women’s NCAA Basketball season, a year that held such promise for the women’s game and the overall future of the sport.

IT’S BASEBALL SEASON: Next week’s column will dig-in deep before the Red Sox home opener (April 9) while we also get ready for the April 15th Boston Marathon, but today – How about some very basic MLB predictions?

In the National League, there are two very obvious favorites in the Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves. In the American League, the New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles and defending ‘23 MLB Champion Texas Rangers get the nod as the regular season begins.

It’s reasonable to wonder if the ‘23 World Series runner-up Arizona Diamondbacks can repeat their magic from last October.

LA Dodgers over the Houston Astros in the 2024 World Series is the call, here.

Can the column seek another opinion, please?

STRAT AGEE: Our friends at Strat-O-Matic made their annual simulation/prediction for the upcoming season and the Braves came out as MLB champions.

Strat-O-Matic, a longtime leader in sports simulation games, simulated the ‘24 MLB regular season and post season, predicting Atlanta as the winner of 99 regular season games and later celebrating the franchise’s third World Series title since relocating from Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Georgia. The Braves needed only five games to take down American League pennant winner Houston in the simulated baseball championship.

Strat-O-Matic’s overall simulation had the Braves winning the NL East by seven games over the Philadelphia Phillies, and joining Central champ Chicago Cubs (90-72) and West winner Los Angeles Dodgers (99-63) as division winners.

Arizona (97-65), Philadelphia (92-70) and San Diego (84-78) claimed the wild card spots, with the Braves taking out the Dodgers in a sweep in the NLCS after dispatching the Cubs in three straight in the NLDS.

In the AL, Houston (102-60) set the big league’s best mark, backing it up by edging wild card Tampa Bay (90-72) in the ALDS and sweeping Minnesota (96-66) in the ALCS. The Twins, Central Division winners, had upended No. 2 seeded New York (99-63) to advance through the ALDS. Texas (91-71) and Cleveland (86-76) were the other AL wild card winners.

MAJOR LEAGUE’S “MAJOR AWARD” WINNERS: Strat-O-Matic also took a crack at predicting the best players in the Big Leagues.

In the American League it was New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge, whose 48 home runs and 113 RBI to go with a .962 OPS earned MVP honors, while Minnesota’s Pablo Lopez turned in an impressive 20-8 mark with 3.15 ERA and 235 strikeouts to win the Cy Young Award.

In the NL, Mookie Betts’ work in the LA infield made him an even more integral part of the Dodgers, enough to earn his second MVP with a .281 average, .945 OPS, 40 home runs and 118 RBI. To no one’s surprise, Atlanta’s Spencer Strider breaks through for his first Cy Young Award, posting a 20-5 record and stellar 2.79 ERA with 260 whiffs.

TLs Sunday Sp🏀rts Notes | Mar 24

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By TERRY LYONS, Editor of Digital Sports Desk

BOSTON – Here in Boston, we have the Duke vs Carolina rivalry of College Ice Hockey as the Hockey East finals brought No. 2 ranked Boston University and No. 1 ranked Boston College together for the fourth time this season. It’s tagged “The Green Line” rivalry and noted for the six-mile stretch of Commonwealth Avenue that separates the schools.

It’s not the 8-miles from Durham to Chapel Hill but rather a Driver and a couple three woods from Agannis Arena to Conte Forum in Chestnut Hill. BU kids vote for the Mayor of Boston, while the BC kids call the City of Newton home.

Heading into the Saturday night Hockey East finale, BC held a 2-1 edge in the 2023-24 ice hockey season, but the one BU win came in the annual Beanpot Tournament (won by Northeastern University as they’ve gone back-to-back with Beanpot wins twice in the last six years).

This year?

Boston College took the Hockey East title, as BC took a 2-0 lead into the second period. But, BU cut that lead in half with a gorgeous wrist shot goal by defenseman Gavin McCarthy, a freshman from Clarence Center, N.Y. (Population 3,337).

BC extended its lead to 3-1, on a goal by Cutter Gauthier, BC’s third power play goal of the game which came at 18:46 of the 2nd period.

Eagles’ freshman Will Smith scored his third goal of the night to make it 4-1, BC, at the 6:46 mark of the third period. Smith has 22 goals and 44 assists on the season.

BC’s key goal of the game made it 5-1, as Boston College freshman Gabe Perreaultscored on the power play, BC’s fourth power play goal of the night. All three players – Perreault, Gauthier and Smith – player on the USA Developmental team for USA Hockey.

BU tightened the score on a power play to make it 5-2. A BC empty-netter made it 6-2 for the final before the fisticuffs broke out to close out the game.

BC freshman goalkeeper, Jacob Fowler, recorded the win.

The NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey Championship begins next week (March 28-29) and concludes at the Frozen Four, scheduled for April 11-13 at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Note: The Bulldog Edition of WWYI was held for 30 minutes to see the final result of the Hockey East championship game from TD Garden in Boston.

HERE NOW, THE NOTES: March Madness did not fail to entertain this week, as noteworthy upsets included No. 13 Yale defeating No. 4 in heavily favored Auburn in the first round, while No. 14 Oakland upended No. 3 Kentucky. In the second round, Oakland lost to streaking N.C. State, 79-73 in OT. N.C. State qualified for the NCAAs by winning the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament (upset over North Carolina) and with the win over Oakland, the Wolfpack move on to the South’s Sweet 16 in Dallas.

TO WIN JUST ONCE? – As the NCAA hoops tournament progresses, this column reflects to what might have been for the St. John’s Red Storm in last week’s BIG EAST Conferencde tournament. The Johnnies defeated a tough Seton Hall team in the No. 4 (Hall) vs. No. 5 (Johnnies) match-up on Thursday (Quarterfinals). As winner of the No. 4 vs No. 5, the reward was a match-up vs No. 1 UConn in the Friday night semis. You know that story.

Everyone left Madison Square Garden assured St. John’s secured a tournament bid and the speculation was whether Seton Hall and/or Providence would be “in” as well. When the Sunday Selection Show played out, all three teams were left out in the cold, as the likes of N.C. State – by winning the ACC – stole a berth, and the BIG EAST was left with only three clubs – UConn, Marquette and Creighton.

Rightfully so.

Seton Hall was closest, but their loss to St. John’s hurt the chances of grabbing a spot. St. John’s while hot during the home stretch (six game winning streak, including a big won over Creighton at MSG), did not have the overall resume as a tournament team. Losses to Michigan, Dayton and Boston College crushed St. John’s early, and two losses to each of the likes of UConn, Marquette and The Hall during the regular season was too much to overcome when the NCAA basketball committee met in Indianapolis to decide between NCAA and NIT bids.

The Johnnies quickly turned down the NIT bid, but Seton Hall (the No. 1 seed) has flourished. Guessing the Johnnies were focused on hitting the transfer portal or the seniors had enough.

Go figure, but has anyone noticed that the “Red Storm” nickname is useless, jinxed, terrible, confusing and not well liked?

It’s rebuilding time for coach Rick Pitino – make that a total renovation.

TID-BITS: In the NCAA’s, there’s plenty of Huskies, Bulldogs and other assorted animal mascots, but here, we have the two maniacs.

Penny (Lane) laying the pup foundation for brother Max (Photo by T. Peter Lyons)

NATIONAL PUPPY DAY: How can we let “National Puppy Day” go by without mention of our TWO pups, the nearing “Adult Dog,” Penny (Lane) and the seven month old Max. … Penny joined us on Thanksgiving Weekend, 2020, right smack in the middle of the global pandemic due to the COVID-19 virus. In many ways, she got us through the “dog days” of that terrible year. National Puppy Day was celebrated March 23 and its founding doctrine states, “Established in 2006, National Puppy Day is a paw-some day for all dog enthusiasts to celebrate unconditional love and fawn over the undeniably cute fur balls that bring so much happiness into this world.” … True story. … It’s been a quick three and a half years that we’ve enjoyed having Penny bark and chase and play and only five months since we adopted the seven-month old “Mighty Max.” … Penny (Lane) has the obvious connection to The Beatles while Max was named as a “Silver Hammer” kinda guy, but we met his (human) parents on Springsteen Road in Albany, NY, so there was an immediate bond with “Mighty” MaxWeinberg of the E Street Band. Weinberg, born and bred in New Jersey, learned to play the drums with the influence of The Beatles’ Ringo Starr, like so many who grew up in the British Invasion era. … In the dual-meaning of names, Penny (Lane), played by Kate Hudson in the motion picture “Almost Famous” clocks in as No. 3 of my all-time favorite movies, locked in behind “Casablanca” and “The Sting.” … Happy Puppy Day to all who partake. Penny and Max have enriched all of our lives (four in the family) and they’ve made friends with all of our neighbors. It’s just GREAT.