Sports
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred floating idea of new 'golden' rule that could be baseball's biggest change yet
Picture this; the reigning champion Los Angeles Dodgers are down to their final out, and with the bottom of the lineup at the plate, Shohei Ohtani is not due up for quite some time … or is he?
Well, Major League Baseball is floating the idea of a new quirk where Ohtani, already in the lineup, may come up earlier than he is supposed to.
Commissioner Rob Manfred said on “The Varsity” podcast back in October that league owners have shared “a little buzz” about the “Golden At-Bat” rule, and it seems to be gaining some traction ahead of the Winter Meetings.
So, what is it?
Each team would get just one chance to basically bring up whoever they want to the plate.
Say the Dodgers are down a run and down to their final out, Miguel Rojas is up, Chris Taylor is on deck and Ohtani is in the hole.
Well, Dave Roberts can use his Golden At-Bat to bring in the National League MVP (maybe the New York Yankees with Alex Verdugo and Juan Soto is a bit of a better example, since everyone on the Dodgers can hit).
The Athletic reported that there are several variations being floated around, including only using it past the seventh inning or only using it in the ninth.
SHOHEI OHTANI SEEKS $325K WORTH OF BASEBALL CARDS FROM HIS EX-INTERPRETER
Nonetheless, it would arguably be the most significant rule change the game has seen in recent years.
Ahead of the 2023 season, MLB introduced larger bases, a pitch timer, limiting shifts and a “disengagement” rule where pitchers would only be allowed three attempted pickoffs, but the third failed one would result in the runner moving up 90 feet.
While baseball purists might be disgusted yet again, it is hard to argue that the rule changes have been a negative for baseball.
The average nine-inning game in the 2024 regular season was two hours and 36 minutes, the lowest since 1984, and no, it is not less baseball; it is less downtime in the game. There were also 3,617 stolen bases this season, the most since 1915.
MLB parlayed that into its highest attendance since 2017, despite prices throughout the ballpark being higher than ever.
So, while the purists may not like it, it is clearly working, and it would be a lot more fun to see Bobby Witt at the plate instead of Kyle Isbel in the ninth – perhaps even twice!
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Sports
Heisman straw poll: Ashton Jeanty has one more chance to change minds as Travis Hunter sits
Colorado receiver/cornerback/flawed Heisman poser/presumed Heisman winner Travis Hunter has achieved perfection in The Athletic’s Heisman Trophy straw poll.
Of the 27 writers and editors who voted this week, all 27 voted Hunter first, giving him the maximum possible 81 points. Two first-place votes for Ashton Jeanty and one for Cam Ward in the previous poll switched this week to Hunter, who wrapped up his Colorado season with three touchdown catches, an interception and two pass break-ups in a 52-0 rout of Oklahoma State.
Hunter “clinched the Heisman,” coach Deion Sanders said afterward, and while that may not be officially true, Hunter couldn’t have gone out with a stronger closing statement — other than the fact that his Heisman pose still needs work to better emulate the trophy itself. In all seriousness, it would have helped him with naysayers focused on team success for the Buffaloes to get the help necessary to make the Big 12 title game. They didn’t.
And the fact that Jeanty gets to play Friday for No. 11 Boise State (11-1) against No. 22 UNLV (10-2) in the Mountain West title game for a national Fox audience at least gives him the final word. It will have to be the running back performance equivalent of “supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.” Like, how about 341 yards to reach 2,629 on the season and break Barry Sanders’ single-season NCAA rushing record? Would that do it?
Maybe? Jeanty lost ground in the straw poll this week after going for 226 yards and a touchdown in a win over Oregon State so … the bar is high. The pathway to change hearts and minds is narrow. The nation’s leading rusher got 25 second-place votes and two third-place votes for a total of 50 points.
The Athletic follows the same voting protocol as that of the Heisman: three points for a first-place vote, two points for a second-place vote, one point for a third-place vote.
Player | Team | Pos | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Travis Hunter |
WR/DB |
27 |
0 |
0 |
81 |
|
Ashton Jeanty |
RB |
0 |
25 |
2 |
52 |
|
Tyler Warren |
TE |
0 |
0 |
8 |
8 |
|
Dillon Gabriel |
QB |
0 |
1 |
5 |
7 |
|
Cam Ward |
QB |
0 |
0 |
6 |
6 |
|
Cam Skattebo |
RB |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
|
Kaleb Johnson |
RB |
0 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
|
LaNorris Sellers |
QB |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
At the least, Jeanty knows he’s going to New York and should be a lock to come in second by a safe margin. There’s no obvious third place this year, which will make the voting and the number of candidates invited to New York interesting.
Miami quarterback Cam Ward fell from 15 points to six in the poll after Saturday’s loss at Syracuse, dropping him to fifth place behind Penn State tight end Tyler Warren (eight points) and Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel (seven points).
That also means no ACC title game platform for Ward while Warren and Gabriel will face each other for the Big Ten championship in Indianapolis, thanks to Ohio State’s shocking loss to Michigan to let the Nittany Lions sneak in the back door.
The poll’s rising No. 6 vote-getter, Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo (five points), also gets an opportunity to make his case when the surprising Sun Devils take on Iowa State for the Big 12 title.
Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson (two points) is the third running back among the eight vote-getters. That’s the same as the number of quarterbacks — and there’s a new quarterback, South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers, picking up a third-place vote.
Sellers will not make it to New York this year. But that’s a hint of things to come in 2025 when he should be high on the list of preseason hopefuls for the award.
(Photo of Ashton Jeanty: Brian Losness / Imagn Images)
Sports
Michigan fires offensive coordinator Kirk Campbell despite team's upset win over Ohio State
The Michigan Wolverines pulled off a massive upset on the road Saturday, beating Ohio State to continue their recent dominance in the rivalry.
Despite the win, Michigan made a big coaching change.
Kirk Campbell, the Wolverines’ offensive coordinator, was fired by head coach Sherrone Moore Tuesday.
The university released a statement, saying Moore would conduct a national search to find Campbell’s replacement.
“After a thorough assessment of our offense, I made the decision to relieve Kirk Campbell of his duties and move in a different direction,” Moore said in the statement. “This was a decision that I felt was in the best interest of our football program. I want to thank Kirk for his hard work and dedication to the university, Michigan Football and our student-athletes. I wish him well in his future coaching endeavors.”
Tight ends coach Steve Casula will serve as interim offensive coordinator for the remainder of the season, the statement said.
FOX NEWS DIGITAL SPORTS’ COLLEGE FOOTBALL WINNERS AND LOSERS: WEEK 14
The Wolverines’ offense struggled after winning the national championship and the departure of Jim Harbaugh as head coach. Moore was Harbaugh’s offensive coordinator.
Michigan did lose key offensive players, including quarterback J.J. McCarthy, running back Blake Corum and receiver Roman Wilson. But the team is 7-5 after 12 games.
The Wolverines are near the bottom of the NCAA in yards per game, sitting at 128th out of 134 FBS schools. They are also 125th in first downs per game and 111th in points.
The Wolverines scored just one touchdown in the win Saturday against Ohio State’s defense, which is one of the best in the country.
Campbell worked his way through the Wolverines’ ranks, becoming the team’s quarterbacks coach in 2023 during the national championship run. When Moore took over as head coach after Harbaugh joined the Los Angeles Chargers, Campbell was quickly promoted again, but he only lasted one season.
Michigan will look to make a big hire for this role, especially considering the commitment flip of quarterback Bryce Underwood, the Michigan native who is first overall in the Class of 2025 prospect rankings.
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Sports
Prep basketball roundup: Westchester survives rally to beat Brentwood
Westchester started the high school basketball season with losses to Chatsworth, Crespi and Harvard-Westlake. The Comets, filled with transfer students, took out their frustration on unbeaten Brentwood on Tuesday night in the Redondo Union tournament, only to come within seconds of losing.
With Tajh Ariza leading the way, Westchester built up a 21-point lead going into the fourth quarter. Brentwood came back behind Shane Frazier, who made four threes in the quarter. The Eagles twice had the ball in the final seconds with a chance to take the lead before the Comets finally prevailed 74-72.
“We have to finish off games,” said Ariza, who finished with 21 points and is the son of former Westchester and NBA player Trevor Ariza.
Brentwood (7-1) received 21 points from AJ Okoh and 18 points from Frazier. The Eagles outscored Westchester 24-6 in the fourth quarter.
Brentwood got the ball back with 8.8 seconds left after Ariza missed two free throws. But the Eagles could not pull out the victory. It was a tough night for Gold Coast League teams, as the Eagles, Viewpoint and Windward all were beaten.
Ty Ingram helped Westchester (1-3) with 17 points.
Harvard-Westlake 67, San Gabriel Academay 48: It was a bit of a struggle in the second half for the Wolverines (5-0) after building a 20-point halftime lead. Joe Sterling finished with 21 points and Nikolas Khamenia had 19. Sophomore Mahamadou Diop had 16 points for San Gabriel, which has lost to the Wolverines, Sierra Canyon and Sherman Oaks Notre Dame this season.
Long Beach Poly 62, Windward 60: The Jackrabbits continue to play a tough schedule and came away victorious behind Jovani Ruff, who had 13 points. JJ Harris scored 23 points for Windward.
Redondo Union 97, Oak Park 39: Brayden Miner, the son of former USC and NBA dunk champion Harold Miner, scored 27 points for Redondo Union (4-0).
Leuzinger 55, Crean Lutheran 51: Arnez Reynolds had 15 points for Crean Lutheran (3-1).
Loyola 87, Hacienda Heights Wilson 35: Tyson Powell made four threes to finish with 12 points.
Crescenta Valley 90, University Prep Value 21: Vaughn Zargarian had 38 points for Crescenta Valley.
Damien 83, Orange Vista 63: Eli Garner had 27 points and Nate Garcia 23 for Damien.
JSerra 66, La Jolla Country Day 44: BJ Davis-Ray had 17 points for the Lions.
Moorpark 64, South Hills 51: Sophomore Levi Oaks had 27 points and freshman Logan Stotts added 13 points for Moorpark.
Campbell Hall 89, Venice 56: The Vikings (4-0) received 29 points from Isaiah Johnson and 22 points from James Bass.
Murrieta Valley 72, Sun Valley Poly 70: JD Wyatt had 28 points in his season debut for Poly.
St. Francis 67, Lake Stevens (Wash.) 58: Freshman Luke Paulus scored 21 points and Noah Henry had 20 points and 10 rebounds for St. Francis.
Chaminade 54, Santa Monica 53: Koby Nichols led the way for the Eagles (8-0) with 14 points.
Canyon 63, Saugus 51: Max Guardado led Saugus with 22 points.
Shalhevet 70, Viewpoint 69: A 31-point outburst from Aiden Bitran lifted Shalhevet to the win in double overtime.
Mater Dei 71, San Juan Hills 55: Luke Barnett scored 22 points to help coach Gary McKnight become the second winningest coach all-time.
Inglewood 95, St. Bernard 92: Jason Crowe Jr., cleared by the Southern Section to play, scored 43 points in Inglewood’s overtime victory.
Girls basketball
Mater Dei 80, King 22: Kaeli Wynn had 21 points and 10 assists for Mater Dei (5-0).
Redondo Union 38, Harvard-Westlake 32: Chloe Choy led Redondo Union with 13 points.
Hart 65, Valencia 35: Morgan Mack finished with 27 points, nine rebounds and 10 assists for Hart.
Bishop Montgomery 67, Brentwood 57: Lev Feiman and Payton Sugar each scored 16 points for Brentwood.
Birmingham 62, Mira Costa 52: The Patriots won the Gold Division championship of the Battle of the Beach. Camille Newton had 17 points. Tournament MVP Lili Martinez had 16 points and 10 rebounds.
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