Robert Griffin III and his wife, Grete Griffin, will have to wait a bit longer until they meet their new bundle of joy.
Hours after the former NFL quarterback bolted from ESPN’s broadcast of the College Football Playoff semifinals between TCU and Michigan, believing his wife was about to give birth, Grete took to her Instagram Stories on Sunday morning to share she’s still pregnant with the couple’s third child.
“Hi guys, still pregnant,” Grete began in a video as she sat beside Griffin, 32, in a car.
Grete Griffin, the wife of Robert Griffin III, confirmed on Jan. 1, 2023, that she’s still pregnant following a false alarm on New Year’s Eve.Instagram/Grete GriffinGrete Griffin, a fitness enthusiast, revealed in August 2022 that she and Robert Griffin III are expecting a baby girl.Instagram/Grete Griffin
“Take number two: Dropping Robert off at the airport to go to another bowl game. Hopefully this time, baby will stay in… She wanted to make a dramatic entrance to 2023 but decided not to, so, we’ll see how it goes this time around.”
Griffin, who confirmed in August 2022 that he and Grete are expecting a baby girl, made a surprise exit Saturday night before TCU knocked off Michigan, 51-45, to advance to the national championship game. Griffin took a phone call and then darted off the sidelines.
“I gotta go,” he said. “My wife is going into labor! I’ll see you guys later!”
Griffin later posted a video of the ordeal on his Instagram page, writing, “What a time!!!!!!”
Grete, a fitness enthusiast and businesswoman, remarked on her own page Sunday, “False alarm people,” and also expressed her gratitude toward Griffin.
Robert Griffin III and Grete Griffin have been married since 2018.Instagram/Grete Griffin
“I gave him a call in the middle of him being on live TV fully expecting to not get a hold of him but I guess when your wife is 9 months pregnant and calls you you answer the phone no matter what you’re doing huh?” Grete wrote. “All I had to say was the word ‘labor’ and this man STOPPED CALLING A BOWL GAME and took off sprinting to the car to get to the airport and get on a 4 hour flight to make it home. I love you more than life baby and I am so beyond grateful for how you love me, care for me, and what you sacrifice for me.”
Griffin and Grete have been married since 2018 and share two daughters together: Gloria, 5, and Gameya, 3. Griffin is also a dad to a daughter named Reese from a previous relationship.
The brother of influential US soccer journalist Grant Wahl, who died while covering the World Cup in Qatar on Friday, says he no longer suspects foul play in his sibling’s death.
Grant Wahl, 49, had a “death rattle cough” from a stubborn case of bronchitis shortly before he collapsed while covering Argentina’s quarter-final win against the Netherlands, his brother Eric Wahl said.
Eric previously speculated foul play may have been involved since the soccer writer was an outspoken critic of the Qatari government and received death threats after wearing a rainbow shirt to a match.
But Tuesday, the brother wrote on Twitter, “The family will release a statement as to cause of death soon. I no longer suspect foul play. It was not [pulmonary embolism].”
Grant Wahl suddenly collapsed Friday while covering the quarter-final game between Argentina and the Netherlands. APEric Wahl (right) has been outspoken about theories related to his brother’s sudden death Friday at the World Cup in Qatar.Twitter / @ziplamakWahl was an outspoken critic of the Qatari government and received death threats after wearing a rainbow shirt to a match.Getty Images
Eric backtracked on an earlier tweet from Monday in which he said, “It seems possible Grant experienced a pulmonary embolism & was in non-shockable state.”
He also claimed there was no portable defibrillator in the stadium but then Monday issued a correction on Twitter, writing that “per a US gov official, FIFA is saying AEDs were available at the stadium,” referring to the devices.
It’s unclear why a defibrillator was not used on Wahl.
Grant reportedly wore the rainbow shirt to the World Cup games in support of his brother Eric, who is gay. Grant Wahl via REUTERSEric Wahl has provided updates following his brother’s sudden death to his social media accounts, though he put his Instagram on private after questioning whether foul play was involved. eewahl/Instagram
Grant Wahl’s body was brought to New York City on Monday for an independent autopsy. His widow, Dr. Céline Gounder, an infectious-disease physician who works at Bellevue Hospital, brought his body to a city medical examiner Monday.
On Monday, Eric shared an update on the situation, writing: “We are traveling with Grant’s body to the medical examination & autopsy.”
He added: “Thank you to American Airlines for their incredible help. Thank you to the NY Port Authority & the US government. Humbled.”
Grant Wahl made headlines at the World Cup when he was initially not allowed to enter the stadium because he was wearing a shirt with a soccer ball surrounded by a rainbow in support of the LGBTQ+ community before a US and Wales game.
The 28-year-old NBA newsbreaker was a free agent this year. He has signed new deals to remain at Stadium/Bally Sports — both owned by Sinclair — and The Athletic, The Post has confirmed.
“Shams has been an integral piece in the growth and evolution of Stadium, elevating our content across both digital media and television experiences,” Stadium CEO Jason Coyle said in a statement. “He is one of the finest professionals and people in our industry, and we are truly excited to continue building upon our longstanding and trusted relationship.”
Added Steve Rosenberg, president of Bally Sports: “As one of the leading insiders in the NBA today, we are incredibly excited keep Shams within the Stadium and Bally Sports family and build upon our partnership.”
Charania appears across digital and TV platforms for Stadium and Bally Sports. He appears on Stadium’s weekly NBA show, “Inside the Association,” as well as “The Rally,” which Stadium produces for the Bally Sports RSNs each weeknight. “The Rally” effectively serves as the pregame show for the RSNs’ live sports, which include about half of the local rights for MLB, NBA and NHL.
Shams Charania is staying at Stadium and The Athletic.StadiumShams Charania in the 2020 NBA playoff bubble.NBAE via Getty Images
This year’s Stadium NBA Draft show had 1.26 million viewers and got 4.66 million total views on Twitter — up from 1.2 million last year — and was watched for a total of 1.68 million minutes.
This is Charania’s third contract with both Stadium and The Athletic, both of which he joined in 2018. When he gets a scoop, both outlets are credited. The Athletic was acquired by The New York Times in January.
When The Post profiled Charania this past May, covering his trajectory in the business and wild screen time stats, it was noted that he could receive interest in providing content for sportsbooks. It is a possibility, down the road, that he could add a sportsbook to the list of his employers.
Payton, the former longtime Saints head coach now serving as a Fox NFL analyst, voiced his displeasure with Rodgers’ body language and comments during and after the Packers’ Week 1 loss to the Vikings.
“It drives me crazy,” Payton said on the “NFL Rhodes Show”. “It drives me crazy.”
Rodgers has notably been critical of the team’s young receiving group, which lost Davante Adams when the Packers traded him to the Raiders in a blockbuster this offseason. During the preseason, Rodgers said “the young guys, especially young receivers, we’ve got to be way more consistent. A lot of drops, a lot of bad route decisions, running the wrong route. We’ve got to get better in that area.”
That sentiment has now carried into the regular season, which saw rookie receiver Christian Watson drop an easy, wide-open would-be 75-yard touchdown in the beginning of the loss.
“There’s going to be growing pains,” Rodgers said after the game. “This is real football, it counts. It’s different, there’s nerves. … We’ve got to make those plays.”
Sean Payton, Aaron RodgersUSA TODAY Sports (2)
Those comments rubbed Payton the wrong way, who would have preferred Rodgers take accountability instead of shift blame onto rookies and young players.
“After the game we go to the interview in the locker room and the very first question posed to Aaron was about bouncing back and he referenced the first play of the game, the dropped pass from a rookie,” Payton said. “And I thought, ‘Come on.’ I like Aaron Rodgers, but I didn’t like what I saw.”
Barstool Sports CEO Erika Nardini has stepped down from WWE’s board.
WWE announced the news in an 8K filing with the SEC Friday afternoon. The company said that the news was related to Penn Entertainment acquiring the full stake of Barstool Sports, and that she “will be focused on the next chapter of this business and partnership.”
“Ms. Ayers Nardini’s decision to resign from the Board was not due to any dispute or disagreement with the Company, its management or any matter relating to the Company’s operations, policies or practices,” WWE said in the filing.
Erika Nardini stepped down from the WWE board of directors on Friday.Annie Wermiel/NY Post
Reached by The Post, Nardini confirmed the move.
“Penn Entertainment acquisition is imminent and I have a lot to do here,” she said.
Nardini was named CEO of Barstool in 2016, when it was owned by The Chernin Group. The Chernin Group sold 36 percent of Barstool to Penn for $163 million. In the deal, Penn had the option to buy the whole company at a valuation of $450 million; the casino gaming group officially exercised that option in August.
Nardini was on WWE’s board for slightly under two years — she had joined it in October of 2020.
Commanders president Jason Wright ripped a reporter who grilled Washington quarterback Carson Wentz about his training camp accuracy issues, as well as his recent struggles in the NFL.
In a tweet posted on Thursday, Wright called Scott Abraham, who covers the Commanders for 7News D.C., a “pompous, unprofessional mess” and included a clip of the interview.
“Thankfully, Carson demonstrated grace & class in response to this pompous, unprofessional mess,” Wright wrote. “I recognize you have made a living on childlike provocation but it needs to be called out,” Wright tweeted. “Don’t expect special access and good luck building rapport with the guys @Scott7news.”
In a separate tweet, Wright added, “And it’s not that the guys can’t take criticism. Just be a journalist and follow standard practices. Others have found a way to do both.”
During the interview, Abraham asked Wentz to assess his performance — and whether or not he believes it is a fair characterization that some “narratives” are that he’s “a little inaccurate on [his] throws” and “consistently inconsistent” at training camp.
“Yeah, I mean for one, it’s camp,” Wentz said. “I didn’t know that, so thank you. At the same time I’m my biggest critic.”
Thankfully, Carson demonstrated grace & class in response to this pompous, unprofessional mess. I recognize you have made a living on childlike provocation but it needs to be called out. Don’t expect special access and good luck building rapport with the guys @Scott7news . https://t.co/fegxgvcJmr
— Jason Wright (@whoisjwright) August 12, 2022
Abraham — who said in a tweet that his line of questioning was “tough” — also questioned Wentz about his unceremonious exits in Indianapolis and Philadelphia.
“Real talk here, Carson: It’s been well-documented, Philly didn’t want you, Indy didn’t want you. Do you think this is your last chance to prove you can be a starting quarterback in the NFL?” Abraham asked.
“I don’t really think about all that stuff,” said Wentz. “For me, I’m playing the game I love and I have the most confidence in myself to deliver, to play at a high level, to be part of something special here with this team.
Commanders president Jason Wright took to Twitter over a local reporter’s interview of QB Carson Wentz.Getty ImagesScott Abraham called his interview of Carson Wentz ‘tough.’7NewsDC
“I don’t put all that pressure on myself. People can feel that way and people can say what they want and I have no issue with that. But for me, I don’t think in those terms.”
Wright seemed to take issue with the way Abraham phrased the questions, while discussing the interview on Twitter with Pro Football Talk.
“You can honestly say, ‘Philly didn’t want you, Indy didn’t want you’ is an appropriate tone?” Wright asked. “We value giving extraordinary access to local media & Lord knows can’t avoid hard questions here. But disrespect should never be tolerated and we should defend our guys when it surfaces.”
Carson Wentz has reportedly had an uneven training camp, struggling with accuracy.Getty Images
When Pro Football Talk suggested handling his issue privately, Wright said “enough is enough” in a separate tweet.
“I think the tone is obvious. Private conversations have been had and enough is enough. We’ve spent the last two years re-introducing ourselves and establishing a collaborative way of working with media,” Wright tweeted. “But being kind & values driven does not mean being a doormat.”
Despite his struggles, Wentz has showed flashes of his old self at training camp.
During a Thursday appearance on “Good Morning Football,” Commanders wide receiver Jahan Dotson said his connection with Wentz has “been great.”
“He’s been more than helpful to me,” said Dotson. “He puts the ball on the money where I need it.”
Wentz threw for 3,563 yards and 27 touchdowns against seven interceptions for the Colts last season. The Colts traded Wentz to the Commanders in March.
The Big Ten is on the cusp of television deals that are expected to pay it in excess of $1 billion and create a college football triple-header featuring Fox, CBS and NBC, The Post has confirmed.
If the agreement goes through, ESPN will be out of the business of Big Ten football and basketball for the first time in 40 years. The deals with all three networks are not finalized. The Sports Business Journal media writer John Ourand, who is also a podcast host, first reported the news.
The Saturday format would likely be Fox with the noon kickoff followed by CBS in the late afternoon and NBC in prime time. Sources told The Post that CBS is expected to pay in the neighborhood of $350 million per year for the 3:30 p.m. game.
This will replace the SEC, which will be moving all its games to ABC/ESPN in a deal that pays the SEC around $330 million for its top football games beginning in 2024. ESPN and the SEC have a separate agreement that encompasses more football and other sports that brings the SEC number to around $700 million.
The Big 10 is on the verge of a massive television package.AP
If these deals go through, then next up will be the Pac-12, which ESPN likes because of its late night windows. The Big 12 is out there, as well, which could be a fight between ESPN and Fox. Amazon and Apple have shown interest in getting in the college football game, as well.
There is also the possibility of further realignment that muddies the water.
ESPN’s SEC deal got sweetened when the SEC took Texas and Oklahoma from the Big 12. Fox, which has part ownership of the Big Ten Network and is involved in all the current negotiations, was helped when the Big Ten became an even more attractive TV property by recently adding UCLA and USC.
After dining with LIV CEO Greg Norman Wednesday, Charles Barkley sounded like a man who would be willing to join the Saudi-backed Tour as a broadcaster.
In a wide-ranging interview with The Post, Barkley said he believes there is “selective outrage” in critics going after LIV Golf and feels it would be hypocritical not to consider being a part of the new tour if the money is right.
As further proof that he is serious about LIV, he will play in the Pro-Am portion of the LIV event next week at Trump National in Bedminster, New Jersey.
After dining with Norman at the Italian restaurant Pricci in Atlanta, Barkley next expects the Aussie golfer to make him an offer to be a commentator. Barkley, one of the 50 greatest NBA players of all-time, has led TNT’s “Inside the NBA” as it has become an iconic sports studio show.
Barkley is under contract with Turner for three more years and $30 million, according to sources.
Charles Barkley at the American Century Championship on July 9, 2022.Getty Images
“In a perfect scenario, I would love to do both,” Barkley told The Post. “I don’t know how Turner’s sponsors are going to feel about it. I know there is going to be some blowback.”
Barkley said he and Norman talked about the Saudi-led group that is behind LIV Golf. The Saudi Arabian government has been accused of killing of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi, as well as other human rights violations.
“I told [Norman,]” Barkley said. “’Listen, they are making up words, like ‘blood money’ and ‘sports washing.’ I said, ‘We have all taken ‘blood money’ and we all have ‘sports washed’ something so I don’t like those words, to be honest with you.’
“If you are in pro sports, you are taking some type of money from not a great cause.”
Charles Barkley met with Greg Norman about a broadcasting role with LIV Golf.Getty Images for The Match
When asked if the NBA’s relationship with China was an example he was pointing to, Barkley responded, “Yeah, I don’t want to practice selective outrage.”
As a follow-up, Barkley was asked if it is different if you are basically receiving a check from the Saudi government.
“Now, that’s semantics,” Barkley said. “I’m a Nike guy, also, so I’m not going to do that thing where I pick and choose what I’m outraged about, where my money comes from. I just don’t think that is fair. I think that makes you a hypocrite.
“And let’s be fair, all these golf tours have played in Saudi Arabia and China. That was my point.”
Charles Barkley hopes to stay with TNT if he joins LIV Golf.Getty Images
Still, how everything plays out is not solely up to Barkley. He has endorsement deals with Capital One, Subway and Dick’s Sporting Goods. When the stories came out that Barkley was meeting with LIV Golf, his sponsors contacted him.
“They checked in with me,” Barkley said. “What I told Subway, Capital One and Dick’s Sporting Goods, I said, ‘Wait a minute. I haven’t signed anything. I haven’t met with the guy. Let’s let this thing play out before you all call me all upset.’
“Between the number you just mentioned [$10 million per year] and all my commercials, for me to risk all of that, it would have to be some serious money thrown my way.”
LIV has added big name golfers like Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka, while for its YouTube broadcasts it hired Arlo White and, as The Post reported earlier this week, David Feherty. Both were formerly at NBC Sports. The PGA Tour has ruled that LIV players can’t participate in their events.
Charles Barkley at the American Century Championship on July 9, 2022.Getty ImagesGreg Norman (r.) with Saudi Golf Federation CEO Majed Al Sorour.LIV Golf via Getty Images
LIV keeps steamrolling around with the Saudis’ seemingly endless money, and Norman told Barkley that a TV deal is expected.
“I think he thinks they are going to get a TV deal,” Barkley said. “I’m pretty sure they are going to get a TV deal also. Somebody is going to step forward at some point.
“I think it is kind of a smorgasbord of different things, to be honest with you. I don’t think it is one thing in particular, but I think the main thing is using my personality ”
Before taking the meeting with Norman, Barkley consulted with Michael Wilbon, Mark Cuban, Ahmad Rashad and Bryant and Greg Gumbel.
“These are guys that have mentored me throughout my career,” Barkley said. “I got all their opinions on it, and they saw no problem with me taking this meeting – and I’m glad they did.”
ESPN’s “This Just In” suffered low blow after running an entire segment on a fake Ja Morant quote, apologizing for the mistake on air Tuesday.
In the bogus statement, which originated from the parody Twitter account Ballsack Sports, Morant claimed Michael Jordan would be seen as “just another superstar” if he were to play in today’s NBA.
“If you put MJ in today’s game he’s just another superstar,” the fake quote, which was liked over 25,000 times on Twitter, read. “We got me, Steph, Luka, Dame, Trae – and then guys like Bron, KD, Giannis, Kawhi – it’s not just one superstar and a bunch of you know, average dudes, you feel?”
Ja Morant says Michael Jordan would be “just another superstar” in today’s game—says today’s talent is at all time high. pic.twitter.com/eAGTjfiFQS
— Ballsack Sports ® (@BallsackSports) July 10, 2022
The quote was a play on Taylor Rooks’ real interview with Morant, in which the Memphis Grizzlies point guard claimed he “would’ve cooked” Jordan, later asserting he’s “never going to go and say nobody going to beat me 1-on-1.”
Still, ESPN decided to not only roll with it, but dedicate an entire segment to it. Following Monday’s “This Just In” segment, Rooks and Morant were quick to bash the network for their false reporting and demanded it be corrected.
“He absolutely did not say this in the interview,” Rooks tweeted. “And I can’t believe it was broadcast that he did. There should be a correction issued for that,” she wrote, tagging ESPN.
David Jacoby, Ja MorantESPN; Bleacher Report
Morant responded to Rooks’ tweet by writing, “these people crazy,” with a crying laughing emoji.
David Jacoby issued a live apology on “This Just In” the very next day.
“We made a mistake,” Jacoby said. “We attributed a quote to Ja Morant’s appearances on Taylor Rooks’ show on Bleacher Report that he simply did not say. On behalf of the network, the show’s staff, and myself, I’d like to apologize to Ja and Taylor for our error. We will work hard to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
Shockingly, this is not the first time ESPN has fallen victim to Ballsack Sports’ fictitious reporting. Back in April, Stephen A. Smith cited the source on an episode of “First Take,” in which he falsely claimed James Harden and the Nets reached a breaking point after Kyrie Irving called him “washed.”
At this point we should be grateful for what ESPN is not. It’s not, for example and thank goodness, the Do It Yourself Invasive Surgery Channel or the Home Gas Leak Mending Network.
If ESPN didn’t know before the seven-game Rangers-Hurricanes Stanley Cup playoff series, it had to know after Game 3. And it had to remember it as its top priority come the series-concluding handshake line.
Throughout Games 3, 4 and 6, all at the Garden, ex-Ranger defenseman Tony DeAngelo was booed, en masse, every time he played the puck. DeAngelo last year became a persona non grata here, culminating with a postgame fight he had with backup goalie Alexandar Georgiev.
DeAngelo, a talented puck-mover from New Jersey, was then essentially fired. He next signed with the ’Canes.
Again, if ESPN entered this series not knowing this, it couldn’t have claimed ignorance after Game 3. “Follow DeAngelo to Georgiev during the handshake!” then should have been circled in thick red ink and distributed to the entire crew.
Monday, after the Rangers won Game 7, ESPN in fact followed DeAngelo as he traveled that handshake line … until he just about reached Georgiev.
Tony DeAngelo and Henrik LundqvistGetty Images; AP
At that moment, ESPN jumped off the shot! It then returned to DeAngelo after he’d passed Georgiev!
We’ve recently heard that inflation is so bad that a picture is now only worth 200 words, but there are no words to describe this latest ESPN blunder.
Kapler’s anthem protest woefully misguided
Feckless virtue-signaling has become the new national waste time.
Giants’ manager Gabe Kapler will no longer show himself in or near the dugout during the national anthem to protest mass shootings. That’s certainly his right, and if his body isn’t in the right place, perhaps his head is.
But what’s it worth? How does that solve or even minimally treat the issue? Which murders count and which don’t?
Recently, several municipalities and states determined that they will no longer use the word “chief,” as in Chief of Police and Chief Executive Officer, as “chief” is disrespectful to native Americans. That chief comes from the French word “chef,” for leader, doesn’t matter.
I supported losing “Redskins” as an NFL team nickname as it directly appropriated a race. However, sentiment to eliminate Braves, Warriors and Chiefs is foolish as they refer to the nobility, spirit and courage of American Indians.
Eliminating chief in titles is absurd. When folks say “chief financial officer” they don’t see Geronimo in a feathered headdress, they see a guy in a suit.
And capitalizing “black” as in the black race, has changed what?
But if Kapler wants to link or exploit the national anthem to protest mass murder he’s woefully misguided.
Why are conspicuous truths regularly avoided during Yanks’ YES telecasts?
Tuesday, first inning, Gleyber Torres hit one deep to left-center then broke into his home run trot rounding first. Only then did he realize that it had smacked high off the wall. He was called out at third after over-sliding the bag when he reasonably should have pulled up at third, standing.
It took several replays and more than half an inning before Michael Kay cut to the core of the matter — Torres had to turn it on late then slide past third because he’d slowed to a jog.
Yet Carlos Beltran, who doesn’t stop speaking the obvious, chose to take this play off, while David Cone excused Torres with his usual “he thought” it was out.
Gleyber Torres, who didn’t sprint out of the box, gets thrown out after trying to stretch a double into a triple during a recent game against the Angels.N.Y. Post: Charles Wenzelberg
Regardless, returning to the dugout Torres, smiling, received high fives after needlessly making an out at third playing diminished standards, Aaron Boone Baseball.
Rob Manfred and MLB continue to push conceited, counterproductive, opponent-inflaming baseball as a way to kids’ hearts, the pandering fools.
Is no one at MLB aware that sports are suffering from a nationwide shortage of youth and rec league umpires and game officials who have chosen to bolt rather than indulge the escalation of uncivilized, abusive conduct among players, adult coaches and spectators, especially the parents of kids?
This week Yankees minor league prospect Anthony Seigler made news when he performed a bat-flip after hitting a home run. Except it wasn’t a home run and Seigler was thrown out at second to end the game.
Hey, a walk-off bat-flip for the other team!
At the time, Seigler’s Hudson Valley team was losing, 6-2!
Yet MLB Network continues to roll “Best Bat Flips” reels and, as reader Ron Perri noted for us, this week MLB.com included a piece that began, “Nothing in baseball is more exciting than a perfectly timed bat-flip.”
Well, beanballs and occasional brawls ignited by acts of excessive self-aggrandizement can be exciting, too.
MLB Network and its website are stuffed with all-about-me baseball, from “Memorial Day Weekend’s Best Bat Flips” to a video instructional, “Learn To Bat-Flip.”
Yep, just keep desensitizing kids, turn them into remorselessly selfish creeps and we’ll continue to call it sports.
Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior scored in the second half to give Real Madrid a 1-0 win over Liverpool in the Champions League final, Saturday, seen on CBS.
In the first half, analyst Rob Green said that Vinicius was so raw and confused when he arrived from Brazil that teammates cracked, “Keep the ball away from him, I think he plays for the other side.”
Francesa burned by Blueshirts
On his betting tout podcast, Monday, Mike “My Picks Have Value” Francesa buried another local favorite, claiming the Rangers would lose Game 7 to Carolina because the ’Canes “are a very well-coached team.”
Our man who runs @backaftathis to expose “Let’s Be Honest” Mike as a self-anointed expert who is rarely correct and seldom honest, wrote that at the time Francesa was heard touting the ’Canes because of their coach, he’d have bet Francesa 10 grand he didn’t know the name of their coach (Rod Brind’Amour).
Mike FrancesaGetty Images for Radio Hall of Fame
Not to burden Yankees fans with bad memories, but Gary Sanchez’s many deficiencies were brought to mind, over the weekend, by the efficiency of new Yankee catcher Jose Trevino.
Trevino, on pitches outside and in the dirt to right-handed batters, stopped the ball by backhanding it with his mitt wide open.
Sanchez didn’t try to stop the ball, he tried to catch it, backhanded, looking to snag such pitches with a closed glove like a first baseman. That’s why pitches often had to be chased toward the backstop.
Spare notes in search of sanctuary:
Seven of the 10 Tigers who batted, Sunday, were hitting below .200. Analytics, baby!
John SmoltzGetty Images
Carlos Beltran this week suggested that checked swing calls should be subjected to replay reviews.
ESPN2, during Sunday’s Phils-Mets, posted a graphic of Chris Bassitt’s last seven pitches to Kyle Schwarber. Even if you cared to read it, you couldn’t. It appeared for exactly two seconds before it disappeared beneath a replay.
Reader Richard Kelly on Fox’s lead baseball analyst, John Smoltz, another whose inability to hush up for even a moment has gone untreated: “He’s like the damned fan my wife must have on to go to sleep.”
Love those split screens during Stanley Cup play on ESPN that encourage viewers to watch the Stanley Cup on ESPN.
That Johnny Depp-Amber Heard trial lasted longer than their marriage.
Matt Carpenter, W.B. Mason logoJason Szenes; Wikipedia
Lookalikes: Reader Mike Rowan submits new Yankee Matt Carpenter and Yankee Stadium right-field sentry W.B. Mason.
