Sports
Angels determined to show the skeptics they can compete for AL West title
That is the yr the Angels have the pitching, hitting and protection to win the American League West, once they keep wholesome and play effectively sufficient to snap a seven-year playoff drought and ship two of baseball’s most transcendent stars, Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout, to the postseason.
To which most Angels followers, hardened by years of rickety rotations, threadbare bullpens, accidents to key gamers, failed free-agent pursuits and an abundance of overpaid and underachieving veterans, would reply: Yeah, proper.
“To start with, I perceive the skepticism, completely, I do,” Angels supervisor Joe Maddon mentioned. “And so they have each proper to be.”
The Angels are 1,600 miles from Missouri, however they open the 2022 season in opposition to the Houston Astros on Thursday night time in a show-me state. Till they present they’re ok and deep sufficient to contend for a playoff berth, they received’t shed the narrative of negativity that has dogged them for seven years.
Maddon, an optimist by nature, believes this yr will probably be completely different. He received’t go the place Dave Roberts went in March, when the Dodgers supervisor advised sports activities talk-show host Dan Patrick that his membership would win the World Collection, however he sees too many encouraging indicators for the Angels to stumble via one other shedding season.
“I believe it begins on the mound,” Maddon mentioned. “The six guys now we have lined as much as begin, each certainly one of them has the potential to be a 10-plus recreation winner with us catching the ball and offering offense.”
The rotation’s success will hinge on the well being of Noah Syndergaard and Ohtani, Michael Lorenzen’s potential to transition from reliever to starter and the continued maturation of younger left-handers Patrick Sandoval, José Suarez and Reid Detmers.
Syndergaard, the 29-year-old right-hander signed to a one-year, $21-million deal, was restricted by Tommy John surgical procedure to 2 innings within the final two seasons.
The bodily imposing 6-foot-6, 242-pounder hasn’t regained the triple-digit fastball that made him so dominant with the New York Mets from 2015-2018, however his heater sat at 95-96 mph in a five-inning, 64-pitch effort in Sunday’s last exhibition begin, he seems wholesome and he believes there’s extra within the tank.
“As I get extra comfy with my supply and begin getting again to recreation velocity and get that adrenaline,” Syndergaard mentioned, “I believe you’re going to see the speed undoubtedly tick up.”
Ohtani, the two-way phenom and reigning AL most precious participant, recovered from Tommy John surgical procedure to go 9-2 with a 3.18 ERA in 23 begins on the mound final season. Lorenzen, a former Cal State Fullerton standout, has a five-pitch repertoire that appears effectively fitted to the rotation.
Sandoval, 25, and Suarez, 24, took their lumps in 2019 and 2020 however established themselves as huge leaguers in 2021, Sandoval going 3-6 with a 3.62 ERA in 17 video games, 14 of them begins, and Suarez going 8-8 with a 3.75 ERA in 23 video games, 14 of them begins. Detmers, 22, is the group’s high pitching prospect.
“The younger lefties are gonna shock all people this yr,” Maddon mentioned. “I like them quite a bit.”
Sandoval, who combines a 93-mph fastball with an outstanding 85-mph changeup, mentioned any strain the younger pitchers may really feel will probably be offset by their motivation.
“Yearly, it’s the rotation is type of a query mark, pitching typically is the large query mark, and we’re bored with it,” Sandoval mentioned. “We’ve heard it for the final 4 years now. We don’t wish to be the query mark anymore, so we’re working our asses off to show it.”
The bullpen needs to be extra of an exclamation level after the Angels spent $93 million to retain nearer Raisel Iglesias and signal left-hander Aaron Loup, who went 6-0 with an 0.95 ERA for the Mets final season, and right-handers Ryan Tepera (2.79 ERA for Cubs and White Sox) and Archie Bradley (3.71 ERA for Phillies).
This group is way deeper and needs to be simpler than the one which ranked twenty fourth in baseball with a 4.59 ERA, twenty fifth in WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) and transformed solely 39 of 65 save alternatives final season.
“In your thoughts’s eye, you concentrate on the sport, the rating is even otherwise you’re forward within the sixth or seventh inning, do you’re feeling comfy with these guys?” Maddon mentioned. “I say sure.”
A lineup that returns Trout, the three-time AL MVP who suffered a season-ending proper calf pressure final Could 17, and Anthony Rendon, who suffered a season-ending proper hip damage in early July, ought to make opposing pitchers extra uncomfortable.
Ohtani, who hit .257 with a .965 on-base-plus-slugging share, 46 homers and 100 RBIs final season, Trout, Rendon and Jared Walsh (.277, 29 homers, 98 RBIs) give the Angels a formidable foursome on the high of the order.
If younger outfielders Jo Adell, Brandon Marsh and Taylor Ward construct off their sturdy 2021 finishes, Max Stassi (13 homers) supplies some pop at catcher and shortstop David Fletcher regains his 2019-2020 type, when he received on base at a .356 clip, the offense ought to rating sufficient to assist the pitching.
“We’ve got a deep lineup,” Sandoval mentioned. “There are not any simple outs in there.”
As improved because the pitching and offense seem, the underside half of the rotation and lineup will depend on principally younger and unproven gamers.
“You’re proper,” Maddon mentioned. “However typically it’s actually cool to get family names earlier than they change into family names. It’s our job and the gamers’ job to make them into that. I believe all of them have that potential.”
Lots nonetheless has to go proper for the Angels to win the rugged AL West, which the Astros are favored to win over the Seattle Mariners, however Maddon likes the uncooked materials he has to work with this season, and he thinks Angels followers — even the skeptics amongst them — will too.
“Come see us, come test it out, it’s good,” Maddon mentioned. “We’ve received a bunch of dudes out right here who you will be actually comfortable to be represented by, as a result of these guys work and the togetherness issue can’t be higher.”
Sports
Knicks reunite Mikal Bridges with Villanova teammates in blockbuster trade with Nets: reports
There’s just something the New York Knicks love about those Villanova products in the NBA.
The Knicks have reportedly struck a trade with the Brooklyn Nets to bring Mikal Bridges, a former teammate of Knicks stars, Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo during their time at Villanova, to Madison Square Garden in a blockbuster deal.
In this first trade between both teams since 1983, the Knicks will send veteran forward Bogdan Bogdanovic, four unprotected first-round picks, one protected first-round pick via the Milwaukee Bucks, an unprotected pick swap and a second-round pick in exchange for Bridges, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
The Knicks saw exactly what former college teammates could do on the floor together in the NBA last season, as Brunson, DiVincenzo and Hart all had stellar campaigns during the team’s playoff run.
Now, Bridges reunites with teammates he won multiple NCAA national titles with during his college days.
KENDRICK PERKINS CALLS BRIAN SCALABRINE ‘COWARD’ AFTER FORMER TEAMMATE CLAIMS HE’S BANNED FROM CELTICS PARADE
Bridges’ reaction was likely that of all Knicks fans, as he posted on social media.
“This is crazy lol,” Bridges simply posted on X.
Bridges, the 10th overall pick of the 2018 NBA Draft who was traded by the Philadelphia 76ers to the Phoenix Suns on draft night, has developed into a star with the Nets since he was dealt before the deadline in the 2022-23 campaign.
He jumped from 17.2 points per game to 26.1 over 27 contests that season as a Net, and last year’s production was solid as well.
Bridges averaged 19.6 points per game with 4.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.0 steals, while shooting 43.6% from the field over all 82 regular-season games.
The Philly native, who was a 2021-22 All-Defensive team honoree, figures to slot right into the starting lineup alongside his Villanova brothers, including the All-Star Brunson who exploded for an All-NBA nod after averaging a career-high 28.7 points per contest.
The news of Bridges’ addition comes as OG Anunoby, the Knicks’ traded-for wing last season, reportedly opted out of his contract and decided to test free agency.
Bridges, at 6-foot-6, has the ability to guard just about any player on the floor, and head coach Tom Thibodeau loves players with that extra hustle, which he provides every night.
New York is clearly a win-now team after going 50-32 last season to earn the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. But they’ve lost in the conference semifinals in back-to-back seasons, so adding another playmaker who can thrive on both ends of the floor was paramount for their squad this offseason.
That box is checked with the addition of Bridges, who shouldn’t have any trouble getting acclimated with his new team.
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Sports
Sika Anoa’i, WWE Hall of Famer and father of Roman Reigns, dies at 79
WWE Hall of Famer Sika Anoa’i, who won multiple WWE tag team titles with his brother Afa and is the father of current WWE star Roman Reigns, died Tuesday. He was 79.
His death was announced by nephew Jahrus Anoa’i on Instagram.
Jahrus wrote: “It is with profound sadness that I share the news of the passing of Former Hall of Famer, Polaivao Leati Sika Anoa’i. He passed away peacefully on June 25th. He was many things: a hard working father, a caring brother, a supportive uncle, and a proud grandfather. He was a cherished friend to many, a loving family member whose warmth and kindness knew no bounds, and an inspiration to countless individuals. His legacy will continue to inspire and uplift future generations, reminding us of the impact one person’s life can have on so many. Rest in love Uncle Sika.”
Anoaʻi was born on the island of Tutuila in American Samoa on April 5, 1945. He and his family (he had 13 siblings) moved to San Francisco when he was 14 and he joined the Merchant Marines in 1963 before leaving in 1969 at the behest of Afa to become a pro wrestler.
Sika and Afa were known as “The Wild Samoans” and joined the WWE (then known as the WWWF), managed by Lou Albano, in 1980, winning the tag titles just four months after their debut by defeating Tito Santana and Ivan Putski. They lost, then won them again later in 1980, then again in 1983. He had limited success as a singles wrestler, but anyone who saw “The Wild Samoans,” with their wild hair, sarong and wrestling barefoot in the ring, will never forget them. They were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2007.
Sika trained wrestlers after retiring and helped launch the careers of many, including Yokozuna, Virgil, Billy Kidman, Batista, Rikishi, Tonga Kid, Virgil, Michael P.S. Hayes and Snitsky.
Anoaʻi’s son, Joseph, better known as Roman Reigns, is the top star in WWE currently and members of his extended family make up the faction known as “The Bloodline,” which has led WWE to renewed success in recent years. Reigns headlined the last two WrestleManias, including the 2023 event at SoFi Stadium.
Sports
Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk jumps in ocean with Stanley Cup as celebration hits the beach
The Stanley Cup is back in Florida, as the Panthers won a thrilling Game 7 over the Edmonton Oilers, 2-1, on Monday night.
The team wasted no time parading Lord Stanley’s Cup around South Florida, as Matthew Tkachuk, Aaron Ekblad and many others were spotted in Fort Lauderdale celebrating their victory less than 24 hours after defeating Edmonton.
And since it is summer in Florida, what other way would you celebrate than by taking the Cup to the beach.
Tkachuk, surrounded by teammates and fans alike, took the Cup across the street to the beach, where he decided to take it into the Atlantic Ocean.
Think of it as a sort of baptism for the Cup, as it’s the first time in Panthers franchise history they have won the hardware.
Panthers fans were screaming as Tkachuk, Ekblad and others held the Cup above their heads, giving it the customary kiss all while the waves came rolling in from the ocean.
PANTHERS WIN STANLEY CUP IN THRILLING GAME 7 OVER OILERS
Tkachuk said after the victory to ESPN’s Emily Kaplan that winning the Cup was no longer a dream – it’s reality. And it was a grueling two years for the Panthers – they lost in the Final to the Vegas Golden Knights last season in five games – to finally get that inaugural trophy in the team building.
So, this celebration is a culmination of tons of hard work, and the Panthers are clearly letting loose now that their names will forever be etched on the precious metal.
Through the Panthers’ 24 games in these playoffs, Tkachuk posted 22 points (six goals, 16 assists) to help Florida get the job done.
He joined the Panthers last season after the Calgary Flames traded him following six seasons with the squad that drafted him sixth overall in 2016.
Tkachuk posted a 109-point season in 2023, and though he would have 88 this past regular season, every Panthers fan knows the importance he makes at left wing for this hockey club.
The celebration has only begun for Tkachuk and the rest of his Florida teammates, who will have their team parade on Sunday.
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