Dining Playbook: Jenny Shapes Up With The November Project
Jenny participates in the free fitness movement taking over the world. Watch as she runs the Harvard steps with the November Project.
Try it for yourself and get hooked instantly on the awesome hugs (and rewarding workout) www.november-project.com
Dining Playbook Review: Tonno
From the brains that brought us the North End’s, Prezza, comes Tonno, Anthony Caturano’s latest masterpiece.
Check it out in the video above or head to www.tonnorestaurant.com for more!
Dining Playbook: Travis Shaw Teaches Jenny How To Pitch
Jenny gets a pitching lesson from Red Sox Third Baseman, Travis Shaw. Was the term “throw like a girl” written for Jenny?
Check out her skills above to find out!
Justin Verlander Looking More And More Like Long-Lost Ace Of Tigers
Don’t look now, but Justin Verlander is pitching like a $28 million pitcher.
The Detroit Tigers pitcher, who won both the 2011 Cy Young and MVP awards, entered Monday’s road start against the Boston Red Sox with a 3.74 ERA, but he ranks third in the American League with 139 strikeouts.
In fact, of Verlander’s 20 starts, he’s allowed four runs or fewer in 17 of them. Take out those other three duds, two of which came against the AL Central-leading Cleveland Indians, and Verlander’s ERA is 2.51, among the best in the big leagues.
As NESN’s Tom Caron and Steve Lyons pointed out before Monday’s game, Verlander has a 1.63 ERA in his past four starts and is looking like the pitcher to whom the Tigers committed up to $202 million.
Hear Tigers manager Brad Ausmus’ comments on his pitcher in the video above from “Red Sox Gameday Live.”
Thumbnail photo via Rick Osentoski/USA TODAY Sports Images
DraftKings: David Ortiz, Jose Altuve Among Tom Caron’s Lineup Picks
Jose Altuve is arguably the hottest hitter in baseball, and David Ortiz, at 40, might be having his best season ever.
For that reason, NESN’s Tom Caron believes the Houston Astros second baseman and Boston Red Sox designated hitter should find their way into your DraftKings daily fantasy baseball lineup.
If you’re interested in giving DraftKings a whirl, visit DraftKings.com and enter promo code “NESN” to play for free.
Here are TC’s three picks for Monday, July 25:
— David Ortiz, DH, Boston Red Sox
— Jose Altuve, 2B, Houston Astros
— Jake Arrieta, SP, Chicago Cubs
Click to play DraftKings daily fantasy baseball >>
Thumbnail photo via Winslow Townson/USA TODAY Sports Images
Dining Playbook: Cask N’ Flagon
Located right on the corner of Lansdowne Street, the Cask n’ Flagon is the best place to go before, during or after the game.
Check them out in the video above, or by heading to www.casknflagon.com
Will Red Sox Make Trade? Dave Dombrowski ‘Open-Minded,’ But Nothing Imminent
BOSTON — Dave Dombrowski got the chance to catch up with his former team Monday, but his reunion with the Detroit Tigers was overshadowed by a bit more pressing item.
The Red Sox already have been one of Major League Baseball’s busiest teams ahead of the Aug. 1 non-waiver trade deadline. But their work might not be done, as Boston still could upgrade at a few positions. According to Dombrowski, the Red Sox have plenty of willing trade partners if they decide to make another deal.
“I can tell you today — we’ve received five trade proposals that I hadn’t received before today from other clubs calling me,” the Red Sox’s president of baseball operations said Monday at Fenway Park. “So, that’s why this time of year is very interesting. We also have some real good young players in our organization, so some people are looking for those players.”
Boston could be in the market for another starting pitcher, even after recently adding left-hander Drew Pomeranz. Dombrowski insisted the Red Sox aren’t close to making another trade “at this moment,” however, and seems content with the state of his team’s rotation.
“I’m not looking to necessarily make something significant, because we already added (Pomeranz),” Dombrowski said. “We have five solid starters. I think (Eduardo) Rodriguez is throwing the ball much better (and) gives us a real solid chance to win. We look for Pomeranz to pitch well for us. We have five solid starters. Could they be better? Sure. If we had five All-Star starters, we’re better. But we have five guys we like.”
That said, Dombrowski is one of the most aggressive executives in baseball, and just because the Red Sox landed Pomeranz doesn’t mean he’s closing up shop ahead of the deadline. For now, though, it appears Dombrowski isn’t quite ready to push his chips to the middle of the table for an All-Star like, say, Chicago White Sox ace Chris Sale.
“Will we be open-minded? Sure,” he said. “But I don’t see that there’s a driving force. And we are going to get some players back. We have nine guys still on the (disabled list).”
Thumbnail photo via Mark L. Baer/USA TODAY Sports Images
Julian Edelman Among Patriots Placed On PUP Prior To Training Camp
The New England Patriots were forced to show their hand regarding injuries prior to the start of training camp.
The Patriots placed running back Dion Lewis, wide receivers Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola, tight end Clay Harbor, guards Tre’ Jackson and Shaq Mason and offensive tackle Sebastian Vollmer on the physically unable to perform active list, which means they will take up spots on the 90-man roster. The Patriots can remove those seven players from the PUP list at any time before the start of the season. If they begin the regular season on the PUP list, they will be forced to miss the first six weeks of the season.
Lewis’ inclusion on the PUP list is slightly surprising, since he participated in minicamp. He tore his ACL last season. Lewis, Edelman, Amendola, Jackson, Mason and Vollmer all started games for the Patriots in 2016.
Edelman underwent offseason foot surgery, while Amendola had procedures on his knee and ankle. Vollmer, Jackson and Mason all dealt with knee injuries during the 2015 season.
Thumbnail photo via Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports Images
Craig Kimbrel Throws Successful Bullpen, Could Make Rehab Stint Saturday
BOSTON — The Red Sox could be getting their All-Star closer back sooner than expected.
Craig Kimbrel threw a 25-pitch bullpen off the game mound at Fenway Park on Monday, marking another positive step in his rehab from a torn left meniscus that required surgery on July 11. According to Red Sox manager John Farrell, everything went off without a hitch.
“Good bullpen,” Farrell said before Monday’s game against the Detroit Tigers. “He felt good about it. He was aggressive for the 25 pitches he threw, both his fastball and his curveball. It didn’t look like to the naked eye that he was favoring anything.
“We had him throw on the main mound so we could get the pitch tracker on him and just make sure that his release point, arm angle, those types of things are consistent with game activity.”
Kimbrel, who hasn’t pitched since before the All-Star break, is in line to throw another bullpen Wednesday. If that goes well, the 28-year-old right-hander could make a rehab appearance as early as this Saturday. Farrell said Kimbrel might need just one rehab stint and didn’t rule out the possibility of his closer returning on Boston’s 11-game road trip, which begins Thursday.
That’s good news for the Sox — Kimbrel originally was expected to miss three to six weeks, and Saturday would mark three weeks since he was placed on the disabled list.
Kimbrel had scuffled a bit before going down with the knee injury and currently owns a 3.55 ERA. But his speedy return would greatly benefit the Red Sox, who already are dealing with ailments to relievers Koji Uehara and Junichi Tazawa.
Thumbnail photo via David Butler II/USA TODAY Sports Images
Liverpool Transfer News: Joe Allen Sold To Stoke City After Impressive Euro 2016
Joe Allen on Monday completed a permanent transfer from Liverpool FC to Stoke City.
The midfielder, who joined the club from Swansea City in the summer of 2012, moves to the Premier League club after four years with the Reds.
The Wales international made his debut in an opening-day defeat at West Bromwich Albion and clocked up 37 appearances that season.
He went on to play 24 league games in 2013-14 as the team finished second to Manchester City and secured a return to UEFA Champions League soccer.
Last term, Allen converted the winning penalty against his new side as Liverpool reached the League Cup final, and was brought on as a substitute in the UEFA Europa League final in May — which proved his final match for the club.
In total he played 132 games and scored seven goals during his time at Anfield.
Read more about Allen’s transfer on LiverpoolFC.com >>
Thumbnail photo via LiverpoolFC.com
Mookie Betts Returns; Drew Pomeranz On Mound For Red Sox Vs. Tigers
BOSTON — The Red Sox will welcome their leadoff hitter back Monday night.
Mookie Betts returns to the top of Boston’s order and will patrol right field at Fenway Park as the Sox open up a three-game series against the Detroit Tigers. Betts missed his first two games of the season this weekend after leaving Friday’s contest against the Minnesota Twins with knee soreness.
David Ortiz will join Betts in the Red Sox’s lineup in his usual designated hitter spot after getting Sunday’s game off. Brock Holt will bump over to left field, Travis Shaw will resume duties at third base and Hanley Ramirez will return to the field playing first base.
Sandy Leon is back behind the plate batting ninth and catching for Drew Pomeranz, who is seeking redemption after getting tagged for five runs over three innings last Wednesday in his Boston debut. The left-hander will be opposed by Tigers right-hander Justin Verlander.
Here are the full lineups for Monday’s game.
RED SOX (55-41)
Mookie Betts, RF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Xander Bogaerts, SS
David Ortiz, DH
Hanley Ramirez, 1B
Jackie Bradley Jr., CF
Travis Shaw, 3B
Sandy Leon, C
Brock Holt, LF
Drew Pomeranz, LHP (8-7, 2.83 ERA)
TIGERSÂ (51-48)
Ian Kinsler, 2B
Jose Iglesias, SS
Miguel Cabrera, 1B
Victor Martinez, DH
Nick Castellanos, 3B
Justin Upton, LF
Mike Aviles, RF
James McCann, C
Andrew Romine, CF
Justin Verlander, RHP (9-6, 3.74 ERA)
Thumbnail photo via Mark L. Baer/USA TODAY Sports Images
Police ‘Kidnap’ New Zealand Jiu-Jitsu Fighter Jason Lee In Rio Ahead Of Olympics
Jason Lee’s harrowing tale of kidnapping and robbery undoubtedly will frighten some visitors to the 2016 Olympics games in Rio de Janeiro.
The New Zealand Jiu Jitsu fighter said Sunday that police kidnapped and robbed him last weekend in Rio de Janeiro, making him fear for his life in the host city of this summer’s Olympic games. In an interview with Stuff.co.nz, Lee detailed how armed men in uniform turned a traffic stop into a crime of their own making, according to ESPN.
What did you guys get up to yesterday?
I got kidnapped. Go Olympics!#Rio2016— J L (@jasonleejitsu) July 24, 2016
“He (an officer) says, ‘You can’t drive in Brazil as a foreigner without a passport,’ which I now know isn’t the case at all,” Lee told Stuff.co.nz. The rental car company hadn’t mentioned that to me. He starts opening the book, showing me all these passages in Portuguese, which I can sort of read, like, every third word.”
They then demanded Lee give them money or spend the night in jail.
“At this point, I acknowledged to myself that I’ve completely backed myself into a corner,” Lee said. “These guys have pulled me over. They have weapons. I’m not in any position to negotiate.
Less said the police drove him to an undisclosed location, forced him into a private car and drove him to two ATMs, from which he withdrew 2,000 Brazilian Reais (about $612) and handed it to the officers for the sake of his freedom.
“I don’t think I’ve ever felt like I could possibly die.”
Lee has been living and training in Rio de Janeiro for the last 10 months. But he won’t compete at the games because jiu jitsu isn’t an Olympic sport.
While foreign visitors will gasp at Lee’s experience, they also should spare a thought for those who must endure the ongoing menaces of crime and corruption in the Brazilian metropolis for their entire lives.
Photo via YouTube/Question Answers
Hanley Ramirez Named AL Player Of The Week Amid Monster Homestand
Hanley Ramirez has been hitting the cover off the ball lately, and his efforts haven’t gone unnoticed.
The Boston Red Sox first baseman on Monday was named the American League’s Player of the Week for July 18 to July 24. Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story received NL Player of the Week honors.
Ramirez batted .333 (7-for-21) during that stretch and clubbed an incredible five home runs in six games. Three of those homers came Wednesday night against the San Francisco Giants, marking a career high and helping lift Boston to a dramatic 11-7 win.
The 32-year-old slugger also hit a three-run homer in each of the Red Sox’s games this weekend, tallying a total of six RBIs over that span. He finished the week with 12 RBIs, six runs scored, three walks and an incredible 1.488 OPS.
Ramirez now is fourth on the team in both homers (13) and RBIs (60) this season and has raised his batting average back up to .282 after scuffling out of the All-Star break.
Thumbnail photo via Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports Images
Dad Surprises Son With Baseball Bat For Birthday In Touching Viral Video
Braheim Fowler went from worst birthday ever to best birthday ever in the span of a few moments. And now, it’s a priceless viral moment.
Braheim is a 12-year-old Little Leaguer from the Philadelphia area who plays for the Taney Dragons. He recently celebrated a birthday, and his father, Devon, let him think he wasn’t getting birthday presents.
His birthday just happened to fall on the day of a Little League game, which worked out perfectly for Devon’s master plan. An understandably bummed-out Braheim got into the van to go to his game, still thinking it was a lost birthday.
That’s when his father, rolling the video camera on his phone, started to unveil a terrific birthday surprise: a brand-new baseball bat.
Check it out below.
https://twitter.com/DubOnDaBeatz/status/756894856945872896
“[His reaction] definitely surprised me,” the elder Fowler told NBC 10 in Philadelphia. “I was expecting him to be happy but I didn’t expect him to get so emotional.”
Making the moment even more special is the fact that Fowler’s currently unemployed, but he still found a way to get his son the present he wanted.
“Just keep trying to make your kid happy,” Fowler said. “If you got love for your kids they won’t care about what you get them.”
Kobe Bryant Visits Ferrari Factory, Famed Fiorano Test Track In Italy
Kobe Bryant might have made a name for himself wearing purple and gold, but it seems he likes sporting scarlet red, too.
The former Laker stopped by the Ferrari factory and Fiorano Circuit in Maranello, Italy, on Thursday. While there, he received a private tour of the facilities, and even got a chance to lap Fiorano in a Ferrari F12 TDF.
Photo via Nike
Bryant was in Italy as part of a tour in multiple cities in Europe to interact with young athletes outside the U.S.
Photo via Nike
Bryant’s family moved to Italy when he was 6 years old and that is where he first learned to play basketball. After leaving Maranello, Bryant stopped by one of the basketball courts where he first played the game to speak with some local children.
Photo via Nike
For more automotive lifestyle news, check out NESN Fuel.
Thumbnail photo via Nike
MLB Rumors: Andrew Cashner Interest Grows, As Marlins, Astros Mull Trade
Andrew Cashner’s future with the San Diego Padres is uncertain, but his Major League Baseball career undoubtedly will continue beyond the Aug. 1 trade deadline.
The Padres are in trade talks with the Miami Marlins and Houston Astros over trading Cashner, perhaps in exchange for prospects, The Knuckleball’s Jon Heyman reported Sunday. Cashner will be a free agent after this season and is resigned to leaving the Padres. San Diego is keen to cash in on the 29-year-old right-handed pitcher, instead of losing him as a free agent.
San Diego reportedly is interested in acquiring Josh Naylor, a highly rated first baseman in the Marlins’ minor-league system.
The Baltimore Orioles, Detroit Tigers, San Francisco Giants and Texas Rangers also are in the hunt for Cashner, according to Heyman.
The Padres, currently 43-56, are in rebuilding mode, and Cashner might not be the only one to leave by the trade deadline, according to Yahoo! Sports’ Jeff Passan.
In addition to Andrew Cashner, the Padres are pushing hard to move catcher Derek Norris, major league sources tell Yahoo Sports.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 24, 2016
Tis the season for bad teams to stock up on young talent that might blossom into future stars.
Thumbnail photo via Jake Roth/USA TODAY Sports Images
PGA Championship Tee Times: Groupings For First And Second Rounds
Golf’s return to the Olympics is on the horizon, but there are PGA Tour scores to be settled before eyes turn to Rio.
The golf season’s final major, the PGA Championship, takes place this weekend at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, N.J. The annual tournament comes just two weeks after the British Open and two weeks earlier than usual in order to accommodate the Olympic golf schedule.
Returning champion Jason Day won’t be representing his country in Rio, but he will be defending his title at Batusrol. The Australian won his first career major last season, capturing the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits.
Danny Willett, Dustin Johnson and Henrik Stenson all are in this weekend’s field looking to add a second major on the season, and Phil Mickelson — who won the 2005 PGA Championship at Baltusrol — is looking for his sixth career major after finishing second at the British.
Here are the tee times for Thursday and Friday.
Thursday, Round 1
Hole No. 1
7 a.m.: Bradley Dredge, Patton Kizzire, Mark R. Brown
7:10 a.m.: K.J. Choi, Tommy Sharp, Jon Curran
7:20 a.m.: Jason Kokrak, Josh Speight, Kristoffer Broberg
7:30 a.m.: Darren Clarke, David Lingmerth, Daniel Berger
7:40 a.m.: Aaron Baddeley, Kevin Kisner, Emiliano Grillo
7:50 a.m.: John Daly, Padraig Harrington, Vijay Singh
8Â a.m.: Victor Dubuisson, Marcus Fraser, James Hahn
8:10 a.m.: Soren Kjeldsen, Billy Hurley III, Scott Hend
8:20 a.m.: Matt Jones, Rikard Karlberg, Charley Hoffman
8:30 a.m.: Robert Streb, Vaughn Taylor, Kevin Na
8:40 a.m.: Gregory Bourdy, Jonas Blixt, Roberto Castro
8:50 a.m.: Ross Fisher, Omar Uresti, Greg Chalmers
9 a.m.: Zac Blair, Smylie Kaufman, David Muttitt
12:15 p.m.: Joe Summerhays, Yuta Ikeda, Colt Knost
12:25 p.m.: Ryan Palmer, Rob Labritz, Gary Woodland
12:35 p.m.: Alex Noren, Andrew Johnston, Scott Piercy
12:45 p.m.: Shaun Micheel, Rich Berberian Jr., Rocco Mediate
12:55 p.m.: Tony Finau, Anirban Lahiri, Matthew Fitzpatrick
1:05 p.m.: Danny Lee, Matt Kuchar, Luke Donald
1:15 p.m.: Jim Furyk, Francesco Molinari, Shane Lowry
1:25 p.m.: Bubba Watson, Jordan Spieth, Sergio Garcia
1:35 p.m.: Patrick Reed, Justin Rose, Charl Schwartzel
1:45 p.m.: Danny Willett, Dustin Johnson, Henrik Stenson
1:55 p.m.: Graeme McDowell, Webb Simpson, Louis Oosthuizen
2:05 p.m.: Ryan Moore, Kyle Reifers, Ben Polland
2:15 p.m.: Mitch Lowe, Kevin Streelman, Young-han Song
Hole No. 10
7 a.m.:Â Chris Kirk, Wyatt Worthington II, Freddie Jacobson
7:10 a.m.:Â Jason Bohn, Jeunghun Wang, Brian Gaffney
7:20 a.m.:Â J.B. Holmes, Brian Stuard, Hideki Matsuyama
7:30 a.m.:Â Tyrrell Hatton, Harris English, Matt Dobyns
7:40 a.m.:Â Rickie Fowler, Ernie Els, Zach Johnson
7:50 a.m.:Â Chris Wood, Branden Grace, Jimmy Walker
8:00 a.m.:Â Justin Thomas, Rafa Cabrera-Bello, Paul Casey
8:10 a.m.:Â Brooks Koepka, Brandt Snedeker, Lee Westwood
8:20 a.m.:Â Adam Scott, Keegan Bradley, Jamie Donaldson
8:30 a.m.:Â Jason Day, Phil Mickelson, Rory McIlroy
8:40 a.m.:Â Bill Haas, Jamie Lovemark, Andy Sullivan
8:50 a.m.:Â George Coetzee, Rod Perry, Hideto Tanihara
9:00 a.m.:Â Nicolas Colsaerts, Ryan Helminen
12:15 p.m.:Â Michael Block, Harold Varner III, John Senden
12:25 p.m.:Â Kevin Chappell, Johan Kok, Troy Merritt
12:35 p.m.:Â Russell Henley, Fabian Gomez, Thorbjorn Olesen
12:45 p.m.:Â Rich Beem, Steve Stricker, David Toms
12:55 p.m.:Â James Morrison, Brandon Stone, Billy Horschel
1:05 p.m.:Â Jason Dufner, Martin Kaymer, Y.E. Yang
1:15 p.m.:Â Bernd Wiesberger, Byeong Hun An, Brendan Steele
1:25 p.m.:Â Marc Leishman, Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Russell Knox
1:35 p.m.:Â Jim Herman, Thongchai Jaidee, Thomas Pieters
1:45 p.m.:Â Soomin Lee, William McGirt, Joost Luiten
1:55 p.m.:Â Brad Lardon, K.T. Kim, Peter Malnati
2:05 p.m.:Â Daniel Summerhays, Cameron Tringale, Rick Schuller
2:15 p.m.:Â Brad Ott, Bryce Molder, Si Woo Kim
Friday, Round 2
Hole No. 1
7 a.m.:Â Michael Block, Harold Varner III, John Senden
7:10 a.m.:Â Kevin Chappell, Johan Kok, Troy Merritt
7:20 a.m.:Â Russell Henley, Fabian Gomez, Thorbjorn Olesen
7:30 a.m.: Rich Beem, Steve Stricker, David Toms
7:40 a.m.: James Morrison, Brandon Stone, Billy Horschel
7:50 a.m.: Jason Dufner, Martin Kaymer, Y.E. Yang
8 a.m.:Â Bernd Wiesberger, Byeong Hun An, Brendan Steele
8:10 a.m.:Â Marc Leishman, Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Russell Knox
8:20 a.m.:Â Jim Herman, Thongchai Jaidee, Thomas Pieters
8:30 a.m.:Â Soomin Lee, William McGirt, Joost Luiten
8:40 a.m.:Â Brad Lardon, K.T. Kim, Peter Malnati
8:50 a.m.:Â Daniel Summerhays, Cameron Tringale, Rick Schuller
9 a.m.:Â Brad Ott, Bryce Molder, Si Woo Kim
12:15 p.m..:Â Chris Kirk, Wyatt Worthington II, Freddie Jacobson
12:25 p.m.:Â Jason Bohn, Jeunghun Wang, Brian Gaffney
12:35 p.m..:Â J.B. Holmes, Brian Stuard, Hideki Matsuyama
12:45 p.m.:Â Tyrrell Hatton, Harris English, Matt Dobyns
12:55 p.m.:Â Rickie Fowler, Ernie Els, Zach Johnson
1:05 p.m.:Â Chris Wood, Branden Grace, Jimmy Walker
1:15 p.m.:Â Justin Thomas, Rafa Cabrera-Bello, Paul Casey
1:25 p.m.:Â Brooks Koepka, Brandt Snedeker, Lee Westwood
1:35 p.m.:Â Adam Scott, Keegan Bradley, Jamie Donaldson
1:45 p.m.:Â Jason Day, Phil Mickelson, Rory McIlroy
1:55 p.m.:Â Bill Haas, Jamie Lovemark, Andy Sullivan
2:05 p.m.:Â George Coetzee, Rod Perry, Hideto Tanihara
2:15 p.m..:Â Nicolas Colsaerts, Ryan Helminen
Hole No. 10
7 a.m.: Joe Summerhays, Yuta Ikeda, Colt Knost
7:10 a.m.: Ryan Palmer, Rob Labritz, Gary Woodland
7:20 a.m.: Alex Noren, Andrew Johnston, Scott Piercy
7:33 a.m.: Shaun Micheel, Rich Berberian Jr., Rocco Mediate
7:40 a.m.: Tony Finau, Anirban Lahiri, Matthew Fitzpatrick
7:50 a.m.: Danny Lee, Matt Kuchar, Luke Donald
8 a.m.: Jim Furyk, Francesco Molinari, Shane Lowry
8:10 a.m.: Bubba Watson, Jordan Spieth, Sergio Garcia
8:20 a.m.: Patrick Reed, Justin Rose, Charl Schwartzel
8:30 a.m.: Danny Willett, Dustin Johnson, Henrik Stenson
8:40 a.m.: Graeme McDowell, Webb Simpson, Louis Oosthuizen
8:50 a.m.: Ryan Moore, Kyle Reifers, Ben Polland
9 a.m: Mitch Lowe, Kevin Streelman, Young-han Song
12:15 p.m.: Bradley Dredge, Patton Kizzire, Mark R. Brown
12:25 p.m.: K.J. Choi, Tommy Sharp, Jon Curran
12:35 p.m.: Jason Kokrak, Josh Speight, Kristoffer Broberg
12:45 p.m.: Darren Clarke, David Lingmerth, Daniel Berger
12:55 p.m.: Aaron Baddeley, Kevin Kisner, Emiliano Grillo
1:05 p.m.: John Daly, Padraig Harrington, Vijay Singh
1:15 p.m.: Victor Dubuisson, Marcus Fraser, James Hahn
1:25 p.m.: Soren Kjeldsen, Billy Hurley III, Scott Hend
1:35 p.m.: Matt Jones, Rikard Karlberg, Charley Hoffman
1:45 p.m.: Robert Streb, Vaughn Taylor, Kevin Na
1:55 p.m.: Gregory Bourdy, Jonas Blixt, Roberto Castro
2:05 p.m..: Ross Fisher, Omar Uresti, Greg Chalmers
2:15 p.m.: Zac Blair, Smylie Kaufman, David Muttitt
Thumbnail photo via Eric Sucar/USA TODAY Sports Images
Browns’ Josh Gordon Reinstated By NFL, Suspended First Four Games Of Season
Josh Gordon has been cleared to resume his NFL career after the league reinstated him Monday on a conditional basis.
As part of his reinstatement, the Cleveland Browns wide receiver can report to training camp and play in all preseason games but will be suspended for the first four games of the regular season. He’ll also be allowed to attend team meetings during Weeks 1 through 4 but cannot practice with the team, according to a league statement.
“As we discussed at our (July 19) meeting, as commissioner, I want nothing more than to see you turn your circumstances around and succeed,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement to Gordon released by the league. “Countless others including your agent, teammates and coaches, (Browns owner Jimmy) Haslam and the leadership of the organization, the Program professionals and Jim Brown also have pledged to provide you with every resource at their disposal.
“But as you acknowledged, ultimately, your future is your responsibility. I have every belief that you can make the right choices, but it will be up to you to do so.”
A repeat violator of the NFL’s substance abuse policy, Gordon was suspended indefinitely in February 2015 and has not played since. Suspensions limited the 25-year-old to five games during the 2014 season, but he enjoyed breakout success in 2013, leading the league with 1,646 receiving yards and earning first-team All-Pro honors.
Gordon will be eligible to return from his suspension when the Browns host the New England Patriots in Week 5 — the same date, coincidentally, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is scheduled to return from his four-game Deflategate ban.
Thumbnail photo via Ken Blaze/USA TODAY Sports Images
Do Dave Dombrowski, Red Sox Still Have Work To Do Before Trade Deadline?
Contrary to what some people seem to believe, the 2016 Boston Red Sox aren’t actually a dumpster fire.
The holes in the Red Sox’s roster are obvious, but the team is 14 games above .500 at 55-41, has the first American League wild card spot and sits just 1 1/2 games behind the Baltimore Orioles for first place in the American League East. The formula isn’t perfect, but it’s working, which is why Red Sox president Dave Dombrowski might not be primed to make any huge moves.
Boston’s offense is the best in Major League Baseball and, so far, has kept up its production after the All-Star break. The Red Sox got infielder Aaron Hill and utility man Michael Martinez via trades to put some major league veterans on their bench, and outfielders Chris Young (hamstring) and Blake Swihart (ankle) are progressing in their recovery from injuries. Basically, the Red Sox already are fielding a World Series-caliber offense and should have all of their pieces in place come playoff time.
Their pitching, on the other hand, is not a sure bet to last through October.
After acquiring starter Drew Pomeranz from the San Diego Padres, Boston’s rotation looks more complete. The lefty got roughed up in his first start for the Red Sox but otherwise had been consistently good all season, earning a spot on the National League All-Star team. The five-man rotation as it stands now — David Price, Rick Porcello, Steven Wright, Pomeranz and Eduardo Rodriguez — has fared very well in July, putting up a cumulative 3.84 ERA that drops to 3.47 if you don’t include Pomeranz’s lone outing. Adding another back-end starter wouldn’t hurt, but it’s not really something the Red Sox need to give up the whole farm for.
The guys backing up the starters, however, need some help.
Injuries have plagued Boston’s bullpen to the point that there’s enormous pressure on starters to go deep into games, just so the team doesn’t have to use too many relievers. Closer Craig Kimbrel (knee) and set-up man Koji Uehara (pectoral) both are on the disabled list and Junichi Tazawa still is limited after returning from the DL last week. By all accounts, Kimbrel is close to rejoining the bullpen. But with Uehara, Red Sox manager John Farrell said Saturday the team is “hopeful” the reliever will be back before the playoffs, which ironically doesn’t inspire much hope that he will be.
Brad Ziegler, whom the Red Sox acquired earlier this month, has been great filling in as closer and in the late innings, but there’s only one of him. Another back-end reliever would take the pressure off Boston’s specialists and give Uehara and Tazawa a lighter workload once Kimbrel is back. The Red Sox don’t necessarily need a top arm like the New York Yankees’ Andrew Miller — Ziegler was acquired fairly cheap and has been reliable — but they’ll at least want someone to consistently lock down innings.
Beefing up the bullpen in many ways is more important than the rotation because even the best starters are going to bomb sometimes. The offense usually can come back from the shortcomings of the rotation, but if the guys in the ‘pen can’t keep opponents scoreless in the late innings, then teams are going to capitalize. Especially in the playoffs.
Thumbnail photo via Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports Images
Ken Griffey Jr. Eternally Cool Thanks To Hall Of Fame Wardrobe, Backward Cap
Ken Griffey Jr. joined baseball immortality in a manner befitting the way he played the game: cooler than anyone else.
Griffey Jr. wore a stunning suit Sunday during his induction ceremony at the National Baseball Hall of Fame. His attire looked great from afar, but up close it’s simply breathtaking. “Hall of Fame Class of 2016″ is embroidered on the black jacket in Seattle Mariner green, and his gold tie includes a silhouette of his famous swing.
However, Griffey Jr. didn’t stop with the suit. At the end of his speech, he pulled a Hall of Fame cap from the podium and put it on backward: as he was known to do throughout his 22-year career.
Junior's version of a mic drop. #HOFWKND pic.twitter.com/CWhwkVprK3
— Cut4 (@Cut4) July 24, 2016
That’s how it’s done, Jr.
Thumbnail photo via Gregory J. Fisher/USA TODAY Sports Images
MLB Rumors: Diamondbacks Already Looking To Trade Shelby Miller
“Disaster” might not be a strong enough word to describe how the Shelby Miller trade has worked out for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Diamondbacks dealt shortstop Dansby Swanson, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 draft, to the Atlanta Braves last offseason as part of a deal for Miller, who was coming off the best season of his young career.
Since then, however, the 25-year-old right-hander has been nothing short of atrocious, and the Diamondbacks already are looking to ship him out of town, Yahoo! Sports’ Jeff Passan reported Sunday.
“(T)he Diamondbacks are prepared to admit the monumental error of that deal by offering Miller to teams in a trade,” Passan wrote, citing league sources.
Miller has posted an eye-poppingly bad 7.14 ERA in 14 starts with Arizona, and he has spent much of the last month in the minor leagues. He hasn’t fared particularly well down on the farm, either, posting a 4.63 ERA in 11 2/3 innings over two starts at Triple-A Reno.
Diamondbacks general manager Dave Stewart confirmed Monday that teams have inquired about Miller. That list includes the Los Angeles Dodgers and Miami Marlins, league sources told Robert Murray of Today’s Knuckleball.
#DBacks GM Dave Stewart: "We have been asked about (Shelby) Miller. Teams think we've given up on him, we haven't."
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 25, 2016
Major League Baseball’s non-waiver trade deadline is Aug. 1.
Thumbnail photo via Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports Images