Sports
The ALCS isn’t over. But the Guardians tried everything to even it up — and still came up short
NEW YORK — If it feels like this American League Championship Series might already be over, well, that’s unfair to both the Cleveland Guardians and to history. But the Guardians and their manager, Stephen Vogt, approached the second game on Tuesday with the urgency and aggressiveness worthy of the stage — and still looked unfit to share it with the New York Yankees, who took a 6-3 victory and a two-games-to-none series lead.
Make no mistake: the Guardians deserve to be here. They won 92 games this season, just two fewer than the Yankees and part of a vastly underappreciated stretch of success. Did you know that in the last dozen seasons, only the Yankees and the Los Angeles Dodgers have more victories than Cleveland? And those teams, you may have heard, spend a bit more money.
But if the Guardians can’t win a game like this, they must be asking themselves, deep down, when they will ever break through.
Consider:
— They got on base in nine of their last 15 plate appearances against the Yankees’ ace, Gerrit Cole. The barrage of singles and walks chased Cole in the fifth inning, but produced just two runs.
— The Yankees stumbled into two outs on the bases in the sixth — “That’s what they do,” John Sterling noted on radio, “run the bases like drunks!” — yet still scored a run on a bobble by Guardians right fielder Will Brennan. It was the second Cleveland error, after shortstop Brayan Rocchio fumbled a pop up to score a run in the first.
— The Guardians used their best starter, Tanner Bibee, and all of their best relievers had two days of rest. But the Yankees managed six runs while rapping 11 hits, five for extra bases, and Cleveland still hasn’t found a lead for its star closer, Emmanuel Clase, to protect.
— José Ramírez, the Guardians’ centerpiece third baseman, lashed a homer to pierce the Yankees’ suddenly untouchable closer, Luke Weaver. But it was poor timing for Ramírez’s first hit of the series; he’d previously left five runners on base.
José Ramírez blasts a solo shot in the 9th #ALCS pic.twitter.com/PHtk76QPUT
— MLB (@MLB) October 16, 2024
“We didn’t play Cleveland baseball today,” left fielder Steven Kwan said. “We had a couple of errors. We obviously pride ourselves on our defense. So if we want to win some games, we’re gonna have to play Guard Ball.”
By that, Kwan said, he meant “fundamental baseball: make the plays that we’re supposed to, hit with runners in scoring position, get the guy over. Just fundamental stuff to be able to play the game.”
It’s lazy to say that the moment looked too big for the Guardians, who have baseball’s youngest roster for the fourth year in a row, according to general manager Mike Chernoff. This is a team that lost its ace, Shane Bieber, to injury after two starts; lost its division lead in August and rallied to finish 17-10; and lost two of its first three playoff games to Detroit but recovered with two stirring comebacks.
“I feel like all year we’ve kind of really done this,” Bibee said. “I feel like at the beginning of the year, in a lot of people’s eyes, we weren’t supposed to be here. But we’ve always known that we were supposed to be here. And we still think that. So that doesn’t change just because we’re down two games. There’s a reason it’s a seven-game series.”
It is, but credit Vogt — a rookie manager — for approaching Tuesday with a must-win mentality. He went to his limited bench in the second inning of Game 3 in Detroit, and it didn’t work then. But that didn’t stop Vogt from gambling again this time, using David Fry to hit for Bo Naylor with the bases loaded in the fourth.
Fry popped out on the first pitch, and because an elbow injury keeps Fry from catching, Austin Hedges had to replace Naylor. Naturally, when the Guardians loaded the bases again in the fifth, it was Hedges — a defensive stalwart but historically poor hitter — who struck out to end the inning.
“It was the highest leverage moment of the game, bases loaded, one out,” Vogt said, explaining the decision to use Fry in the fourth. “We want to take a shot with David. Gerrit Cole, really good pitcher, made a good pitch on David and got the pop up. Austin’s been a big part of our team. We wanted to take our shot right there. We felt that was our biggest opportunity at that point. You don’t know when you’re going to get three guys on against somebody like Gerrit Cole.
“It’s who we are. We take chances when we do. It’s just unfortunate we were not able to come through with a big hit.”
That’s postseason baseball: be who you are, but bolder. It’s the same reason that Vogt intentionally walked Juan Soto to load the bases for Aaron Judge with one out in the second inning — then took out Bibee after 11 batters, the fewest he’s ever faced in his 59 career starts.
The Guardians have the majors’ best bullpen — and you cannot lose without deploying your greatest strength. So Cade Smith took over for Bibee, held Judge to a sacrifice fly and retired all five hitters he faced.
“We haven’t gone to the ‘pen as early as we did tonight, but the stakes being higher, basically at that point we’re trying to stop the game and stop their momentum,” pitching coach Carl Willis said. “You can’t let the game get away from you. You just can’t. Because if you do, there’s no need for Cade later. And while you may flip the script and all of a sudden you’re like, ‘Oh hell, we used Cade in the fourth’ — but still, we have trust in the other guys, and you have to get to that point. You can’t just bank on getting there.”
Vogt’s predecessor in Cleveland, Terry Francona, has a philosophy about managerial moves: “If I can’t explain this,” he has said, “it’s wrong.” In other words, if a manager has an option that gives the team a better chance to win, there’s really no choice. Take it.
The Fry move backfired. The Soto and Smith moves basically worked. In any case, the Guardians won’t win this series by being passive. Vogt understands that.
And as bleak as things seem for Cleveland, it’s looked this hopeless for other teams, too. Just last October, the Philadelphia Phillies easily won the first two games of the NLCS at home against the sixth-seeded Arizona Diamondbacks. But when the series shifted to Arizona, the Diamondbacks adjusted their pitching strategy, quickly evened the series and won it in seven.
Willis, a reliever for the 1991 Minnesota Twins, has been there, too. In that year’s classic World Series, the Twins took the first two at home but then lost all three in Atlanta before recovering to take the crown.
“We’re going home, and we have one of the best records in the major leagues at home,” Willis said. “It can turn on a dime, and they know that, too.”
It can — and for the Guardians, it must.
(Top photo of Tanner Bibee exiting Game 2 of the ALCS: Dustin Satloff/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Sports
Titans star Jeffery Simmons calls burglars ‘f—ing cowards’ after home break-in during game vs 49ers
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Tennessee Titans star defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons ripped into those who burglarized his home while he played against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.
There were “at least six suspects” who burglarized Simmons’ Nashville home, which came shortly after 7 p.m., the Metro Nashville Police Department told ESPN.
That was the exact time frame the Titans were facing the 49ers in the Bay Area.
Jeffery Simmons of the Tennessee Titans looks on during halftime against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium on Nov. 30, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Jeff Dean/Getty Images)
“What if any of my family members was in my house??” Simmons wrote on social media while showing security camera footage of the burglars trying to enter his home. “All that materialistic s—- you can have but this is crazy!”
Simmons also called the burglars “f—ing cowards,” though he was complimentary of the Metro Nashville PD.
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“I want to extend my sincere appreciation to the Metro Nashville Police Department and the Titans’ security team for their professionalism and swift response,” Simmons said in a statement. “Their dedication to ensuring the safety of our entire Nashville community does not go unnoticed. I remain thankful for God’s protection and grace.”
The suspects were said to have gained entry to Simmons’ home “after smashing out window glass,” while “multiple items were taken” in the process.
It’s unclear exactly what was taken from Simmons’ home.
Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (98) reacts after sacking Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (not pictured) during the fourth quarter at Huntington Bank Field on Dec. 7, 2025. (Scott Galvin/Imagn Images)
Meanwhile, Simmons was able to find the end zone despite the loss to the 49ers, so a good personal performance came to a screeching halt once he found out the news.
But unfortunately, Simmons isn’t the only NFL star who has been burglarized while playing a game.
Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce had it happen last season, as did Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. All of those burglaries were in connection with a South American theft group that was specifically targeting NFL and NBA players.
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Cleveland Browns rookie Shedeur Sanders also saw $200,000 worth of property taken from his residence while they were playing the Baltimore Ravens earlier this season.
The Titans’ security team said it is “actively working” with local police to recover the stolen items.
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MONDAY’S RESULTS
BOYS
CITY SECTION
AMIT 43, Valley Oaks CES 25
Arleta 70, Monroe 59
Bell 52, South East 34
Bravo 83, View Park 82
CALS Early College 36, Magnolia Science Academy 20
Contreras 86, Belmont 15
Downtown Magnets 65, Lincoln 61
East College Prep 51, Brio College Prep 38
East Valley 46, Van Nuys 31
Fulton 63, Lakeview Charter 20
Garfield 48, South Gate 34
Granada Hills Kennedy 68, Reseda 23
LA Roosevelt 60, Legacy 47
Locke 59, Animo Watts 56
Orthopaedic 69, Annenberg 44
RFK Community 58, Mendez 49
Sun Valley Poly73, North Hollywood 58
Triumph Charter 69, LA Marshall 59
Vaughn 73, Panorama 58
SOUTHERN SECTION
ACE 82, PAL Academy 54
Alta Loma 48, Diamond Ranch 41
Anaheim 70, Magnolia 27
Arroyo 71, El Monte 28
Bell Gardens 68, Glenn 39
Bonita 60, San Dimas 56
Chaparral 76, California 71
Colton 83, Desert Hot Springs 67
Costa Mesa 75, Savanna 68
Crossroads Christian 39, Grove School 28
Desert Christian 67, Lancaster Baptist 54
Eastside 71, Quartz Hill 64
El Rancho 66, Duarte 30
Elsinore 58, Great Oak 55
Gabrielino 51, Rosemead 46
Highland 53, Antelope Valley 34
Hillcrest 68, Indian Springs 61
Knight 86, Lancaster 32
Lakeside 54, Patriot 42
Liberty 67, Beaumont 64
Magnolia Science Academy 55, Legacy College Prep 31
Malibu 69, Nordhoff 34
Mary Star of the Sea 64, Chadwick 60
Mesa Grande Academy 85, RSCSM 30
Mesrobian 47, New Covenant Academy 44
Montclair 84, Rim of the World 45
Moreno Valley 53, Vista del Lago 44
Ontario 68, La Sierra 27
Orange 59, Pasadena Marshall 37
Paloma Valley 56, San Jacinto 48
Pasadena 80, Burbank 53
Placentia Valencia 60, Santa Ana 32
Perris 81, Heritage 45
Redlands 46, Banning 41
Rialto 65, Norco 64
Riverside King 57, Riverside Poly 55
Santa Maria 86, Valley Christian Academy 69
Serrano 48, Arroyo Valley 37
Sherman Indian 59, California Lutheran 53
Summit 73, Yucaipa 56
Thousand Oaks 72, Simi Valley 40
Valley Torah 100, St. Monica Academy 68
Valley View 75, Jurupa Valley 45
Vasquez 98, PACS 40
Viewpoint 60, Hillcrest Christian 37
Westlake 51, Oak Park 37
Whitney 69, Godinez 63
Woodbridge 69, El Toro 48
INTERSECTIONAL
Compton 74, Crenshaw 53
Gahr 76, Rancho Dominguez 52
Marquez 65, Whittier 30
New Roads 47, Animo Venice 28
San Gabriel 66, Sotomayor 39
GIRLS
CITY SECTION
Animo Robinson 37, Smidt Tech 33
Animo Watts 55, Locke 29
Brio College Prep 24, East College Prep 20
Contreras 42, Belmont 4
Crenshaw 41, Torres 16
Granada Hills Kennedy 67, Reseda 15
Grant 64, Chavez 3
Hollywood 44, Roybal 12
Northridge Academy 58, East Valley 9
Orthopaedic 25, Annenberg 14
RFK Community 27, Mendez 18
Sherman Oaks CES 75, Fulton 7
South East 35, Bell 27
Verdugo Hills 56, Eagle Rock 31
SOUTHERN SECTION
Aliso Niguel 60, Edison 23
Arroyo 34, El Monte 25
Arroyo Valley 42, San Gorgonio 29
Baldwin Park 60, La Puente 15
Bonita 48, San Dimas 39
Burbank 64, Pasadena 40
Carter 77, Adelanto 54
Chino 58, Ayala 38
Citrus Valley 54, Liberty 52
Coachella Valley 45, Palo Verde Valley 36
Covina 49, Sierra Vista 40
Desert Christian 46, Lancaster Baptist 27
Don Lugo 53, Bloomington 16
Eastside 56, Quartz Hill 24
El Modena 40, Irvine University 15
El Segundo 60, Montebello 18
Flintridge Sacred Heart 50, Muir 43
Fontana 50, Patriot 42
Foothill Tech 35, Santa Barbara 23
Gabrielino 40, Rosemead 27
Garden Grove 53, Garden Grove Pacifica 17
Glenn 36, Firebaugh 11
Heritage 56, Corona 38
Highland 60, Antelope Valley 26
Hillcrest 61, Valley View 37
Irvine 36, Tustin 34
Jurupa Valley 47, Norco 19
Laguna Beach 42, Savanna 39
Lancaster 55, Knight 22
Loma Linda Academy 42, Desert Chapel 13
Los Altos 60, Mayfair 23
Los Amigos 43, Artesia 25
Mesa Grande Academy 80, River Springs Charter 10
Monrovia 39, Ramona Convent 31
Newbury Park 55, Santa Paula 26
Nordhoff 54, Cate 31
Paramount 58, Lakewood 40
Redlands 35, Banning 19
Royal 47, Channel Islands 39
San Jacinto Valley Academy 34, Santa Rosa Academy 26
Santa Maria 61, Valley Christian Academy 37
Schurr 45, California 37
Segerstrom 49, Long Beach Wilson 46
Silver Valley 55, Sultana 30
Southlands Christian 49, Bassett 10
Temple City 35, San Gabriel 27
Twentynine Palms 55, Cathedral City 13
Vasquez 45, Palmdale Academy Charter 6
Vista Murrieta 40, Beaumont 37
Western Christian 64, Workman 14
West Torrance 74, Torrance 36
Whittier Christian 68, NOVA Academy 13
Wiseburn-Da Vinci 66, South Torrance 60
Woodbridge 66, Katella 37
Yucaipa 51, Summit 46
YULA 64, ISLA 26
INTERSECTIONAL
Compton Centennial 43, Rancho Dominguez 16
Dominguez 50, LA Jordan 8
LACES 62, Inglewood 35
Warner 40, Anza Hamilton 33
Westchester 53, Leuzinger 52
Sports
South Carolina legend Steve Taneyhill, known for iconic ‘home run’ touchdown celebration, dead at 52
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Former South Carolina quarterback Steve Taneyhill, who played for the Gamecocks from 1992-95, has died at 52.
The Gamecocks athletic department confirmed on Monday that Taneyhill died overnight in his sleep, though no cause of death was provided.
“Taneyhill was inducted into the University of South Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame in 2006,” the Gamecocks said in a statement about his death. “He was named Freshman of the Year by Sports Illustrated and Football News Freshman All-America in 1992.
USC Steve Taneyhill taunts Clemson fans after USC beat Clemson 24-13 at Clemson in 1992. (Tim Dominick/The State/Tribune News Service)
“An exciting player, Taneyhill was known for his iconic mullet hair and his ‘home run swing’ after touchdown passes.”
Taneyhill led the Gamecocks to its first-ever bowl victory in program history in 1994, his junior season at South Carolina. They defeated West Virginia in the Carquest Bowl.
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And when Taneyhill threw touchdowns, he would perform his famous “home run swing,” as the statement read, in celebration.
A native of Altoona, Pennsylvania, Taneyhill notched South Carolina records with 753 completions and 62 passing touchdowns over his four seasons. He also was second with 8,782 passing yards and seventh with a 60.5 completion rate.
Taneyhill’s senior season in 1995 saw him lead the SEC in completions (261), pass attempts (389) and completion percentage (67.1) on his way to 3,094 passing yards with 29 touchdowns and nine interceptions.
Quarterback Steve Taneyhill of South Carolina University drops back to pass during a 42-23 loss to the University of Georgia at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia on Sept. 2 1995. (Jamie Squire/Allsport)
For his performance as a Gamecocks star, Taneyhill was later inducted into the South Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame in 2006.
To this day, Taneyhill is responsible for three of the to four highest-passing-yardage games in school history, including a 471-yard day against Mississippi State in 1995.
Taneyhill was never able to break into the NFL, though, joining the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent in 1997. However, he was released during the preseason and never once played in the league.
He later became a high school football coach, leading his Chesterfield High to the South Carolina state title for three straight seasons in 2007-09.
Steve Taneyhill , Quarterback for the University of South Carolina Gamecocks throws a pass downfield during the NCAA Southeastern Conference college football game against the University of Georgia Bulldogs on Sept. 2,1995 at the Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia, United States. (Jamie Squire/Allsport)
South Carolina’s statement said that he also purchased and operated businesses in Columbia and Spartanburg, South Carolina after his coaching days were over.
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