Red Sox Old-Timers Game

Finally! The Red Sox are hosting their first old-timers game in 25 years on Sunday, May 27th. The game will be played in the morning before the Red Sox match-up with the Atlanta Braves that afternoon. I have never understood why the Red Sox don’t have these games once a year, or at least more frequently than they do. What Red Sox fan wouldn’t love to see some of the guys they used to cheer for don the uniform again? Let’s hope NESN broadcasts this game.

The Managers

Two Red Sox legends will manage the clubs for the old-timers game; Luis Tiant and Dwight Evans. Both of these guys would likely make a 25 man roster of the greatest Red Sox ever.

“El Tiante” I believe is a top five right-handed pitcher in Red Sox history, winning 20 games three times while also pitching great in the 1975 World Series. He is still a fan favorite to this day, as is “Dewey.” Evans is the greatest right fielder in Red Sox history. He played parts of 19 seasons with the club, winning eight Gold Gloves and placing in the top five for the MVP vote twice. His 379 home runs place fifth in team history. Evans is also fourth all-time in base hits and third in walks. He has a strong argument for his number to be retired by the club.

Dewey and Tiant walk onto the field.

The Old-Timers Pitching Staff

Pedro Martinez is the headliner of the staff. The greatest pitcher in team history and the greatest pitcher I have seen. Pedro’s peak was arguably the most dominant stretch of pitching the game has ever seen. Going to games at Fenway where Pedro pitched was like nothing else experienced. If there is one guy I miss watching pitch more than anyone else, it is Pedro, and no one else even comes close.

Derek Lowe holds an incredibly important spot in Red Sox history. Lowe won the clinching game of all three postseason series in 2004 when the Red Sox won the World Series. He allowed just four runs over 19.1 innings that postseason and won game seven against the Yankees pitching on just two days rest. Derek Lowe also threw a no-hitter in 2002, the first thrown by a Red Sox pitcher at Fenway Park in 37 years.

Oil Can Boyd sure is a character. Known more for his personality than his pitching, Dennis “Oil Can” Boyd had a couple of fine seasons in Boston. He won 31 games between 1985 and 1986 with a 3.74 ERA.

Bill Lee is of course another character. Nicknamed “Spaceman”, Lee is also known more for his personality. Lee was a good pitcher though, winning 119 games and making an All-Star team. From 1973-75, Lee won 17 games each season for the Red Sox. In 2010 he became the oldest to ever play in and win a professional baseball game, picking up the win in a game for the Brockton Rox.

Rich Garces is everyone’s lovable, overweight pitcher. Affectionately referred to as “El Guapo” during his time in Boston, Garces pitched parts of seven seasons with the Red Sox. He was stellar between 1998 and 2001, going 20-4 with a 3.15 ERA out of the bullpen over those four seasons.

Jim Corsi pitched on some of the same teams as El Guapo. In 1997 and 1998 Corsi was 8-5 with a 2.98 ERA for the Sox. He declined in 1999, but the Red Sox got two excellent seasons from him. He later spent some time on NESN doing studio work.

Alan Embree was on the curse breaking team of 2004, and spent part of four seasons with the Red Sox. Despite mediocre results, Embree was excellent in postseason play for the Sox. In 2003 he didn’t allow a run in eight appearances. He was good again in 2004, and didn’t allow a run in three World Series games. In total, Embree was 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA during the postseason while with the Red Sox.

Lenny Dinardo currently works for NESN as a studio analyst. During his career he spent three seasons with the Boston Red Sox. Dinardo held his own in limited action his first two seasons before being rocked in 2006. In all, he was 1-3 with a 5.53 ERA for the team.

Mike Myers was a lefty specialist for the Red Sox in 2004 and 2005. He was plenty effective in that role for them, going 3-1 in 2005 with a 3.13 ERA.

Chris Howard was a lefty reliever for the Sox in 1994. He didn’t get much of a chance in the big leagues despite pitching relatively well. That season for the Sox, Howard was 1-0 with a 3.63 ERA over 37 appearances. He only pitched seven other games in the Majors, three in 1993 and four in 1995. He never allowed a run in either season.

Keith MacWhorter is a local guy, born in Worcester in 1955. He then attended Bryant College in Rhode Island. MacWhorter made the Majors for one season, 1980. Unfortunately he never won a game, going 0-3 with a 5.53 ERA. Hey, he got to play for his hometown team, not many can say that.

The Infielders

Wade Boggs headlines the lineup of hitters appearing in the game. His .338 batting average as a member of the Red Sox is second only to Ted Williams in franchise history. He is unquestionably the greatest third baseman in team history, and was so good he had his number 26 retired. In the 1980’s, Boggs set a Major League record by collecting 200 hits in seven straight seasons.

Scott Cooper is the man who replaced Wade Boggs at the hot corner. Cooper made back-to-back All-Star Games with the Red Sox in 1993 and 1994. Cooper also hit for the cycle in 1994, becoming the first Red Sox player to accomplish this feat since Mike Greenwell. Speaking of which…

Mike Lowell was a fan favorite for the club and helped the Red Sox win the 2007 World Series. In fact, Lowell was the MVP of that World Series after placing 5th in the regular season MVP vote. He batted .290 with 80 home runs during his time in Boston. He now has a role with the team in a coaching capacity and worked with Rafael Devers on his defense this spring.

Orlando Cabrera was a spark plug to the team in 2004. After the trade to acquire him, the Red Sox went on a run with Cabrera providing some heroics. He batted .294 down the stretch for the team while stabilizing the defense at shortstop. Cabrera then batted .379 during the ALCS versus the Yankees. It is still a mystery to me as to why the Red Sox did not retain him following the season.

Sam Horn exploded onto the scene in 1987, homering in five of his first eight Major League games. He hit 14 home runs in only 158 at-bats that season, posting a .589 slugging percentage. He sputtered out in Boston after that, but he returned to the area to play for the Nashua Pride in 2000 and 2001. Horn then spent time as a studio analyst for NESN. He would always yell “kapow!” whenever someone hit a home run.

Lou Merloni of course remains a large figure in the Boston sports world. Working on TV and radio, Lou is widely heard in the area covering all sports. A local guy, “Framingham Lou” homered in his first Fenway at-bat in 1998. He batted .269 in parts of six seasons with the Red Sox while playing all over the infield. Before Kevin Youkilis, the crowd would yell “Looouuuu” whenever Merloni made a nice play.

Julio Lugo is an interesting choice for this game, as he was one of the bigger busts in recent memory. After signing a big contract to play shortstop, Lugo batted .251 as a member of the Red Sox and made a lot of errors at a vital defensive position.

Steve Lomasney is the only catcher on this squad. Will he remain behind the plate no matter who is up or does he get a turn at-bat? Lomasney, a Massachusetts native, was drafted by the Red Sox out of Peabody High School in the fifth round of the 1995 draft. He got two at-bats in his Major League career, coming in 1999; he struck out in both of them.

The Outfielders

Mike Greenwell will also play in this game. “The Gator” patrolled left field in front of the Monster after Jim Rice, following in a very successful line of left fielders in franchise history. He didn’t back down from it either, becoming one of the five greatest left fielders in team history in my opinion. Greenwell was a career .303 hitter and was one of the brightest young stars in the game in the late 80’s. Injuries slowed him down in the 90’s, but it isn’t easy to bat .300. He finished second in the MVP vote for 1988 to a roided up Jose Canseco.

Troy O’leary was another excellent left fielder for the Red Sox. Signed off the scrap heap in 1995, O’leary batted .300 that season for the Red Sox. He would bat .300 again in 1997, then posted back-to-back 20 home run season in 1998 and 1999. His total of 28 homers in 1999 was a career high, and he hit two more in the ALDS against the Indians, driving in seven runs in the deciding game of the series.

Jonny Gomes was a fun guy, and his personality helped revamp a clubhouse in 2013 that needed a big makeover from the previous couple seasons. He hit 19 home runs in 521 at-bats with the Red Sox and hit a big three-run homer in game four of the World Series. He currently announces from time to time for the club.

Darren Lewis was a great fielding center fielder in his day. Lewis once held the record for most consecutive errorless games. Lewis played four seasons with the Red Sox, from 1998-2001. He hit a career high eight home runs and stole 29 bases that first season with the team. His final season with the team he hit a career high .280.

Steve Lyons is currently seen on NESN in the studio for pregame and postgame work. He spent three different stints with the Red Sox during his playing days, playing all over the field. In fact, Lyons played everywhere at least once as a member of the Red Sox.

Rick Miller will play in this game at the age of 70. Miller broke in with the Red Sox back in 1971. He spent his first seven seasons in Boston, then returned to the club in 1981 and spent the final five seasons of his career here. He played in 1101 games as a Red Sox, batting .265.

Celtics on the Clock with Terry Rozier

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In a season filled with turbulence, the Celtics still manage to take out top-tier teams to remain deep into the playoffs. Despite an off-season filled with drama, trades and free agent signings, the C’s put themselves in place to remain as one of the NBA’s elite. With two wins away from the Finals, the possibility of hanging banner #18 is looking more likely. How did this all happen? No Irving, no Hayward, an aging big man, and too much inexperience had some thinking next year would be the year.

Wrong. Big Al has played like the anchor he is. Meanwhile, the young talent continues to producing on a All-Star level. This year could be it, as everyone on the roster has emerged as a big-time performer when it matters most.

Enter Terry Rozier. A hot-shot PG gaining a cult-like following in the city of Boston, and rightfully so. Come the summer of 2019 though, Rozier becomes a free-agent, and Danny Ainge will have a decision to make. It begs the question however, will Ainge continue the trend of trading high-caliber points guards for the future? Will he pull an IT4 and trade Irving because of the knee? Let’s talk about it.

Sell High

No secret that Terry Rozier wants to start for an NBA team. He never foresaw that the opportunity would come this quickly, however.

In the 2018 playoffs, Rozier has absolutely stepped up, averaging a wild 17/6/6 for the guys in green. With that, he’s also started in all 14 playoff games. In five of those games, Rozier went for 20+ points. He passes the ball at a high level (nine games with over five assists), coupled with strong defense when the C’s need a stop.

Terry has done an incredible job filling Kyrie Irving’s spot in the lineup, with seat clearing three-pointers and some nifty ball handling. Hell, he’s even formed a weird, yet enjoyable, relationship with Drew Bledsoe. Still, in Celtics Land, where Danny Ainge reigns supreme, even TR12 isn’t safe.

At this point, Rozier’s market value could hang with some of the best in the league. He’s young, can lead a team, and clearly can score the ball at tremendous frequency. But, even with 17 PPG in the playoffs, he only averaged 11/2/5 during the regular season. Make no mistake about it – during the months of March and April the dude went OFF. But, the Kyrie Irving situation allowed him to do that. Uncle Drew will be back next year (hopefully without complication), which will force Rozier back to the bench. Nonetheless, he did produce, even with Irving in the lineup, but he won’t want to do that forever.

TR n’ FA

Rozier becomes a free agent next summer, where he’ll attract curiosity and interest. Before that happens, Danny Ainge possibly could move him with the value of the PG increasing daily. Using him in a trade package could work, but the C’s would have to include another young star to make a franchise-altering move. Before TR12 potentially takes off, leaving the Celtics empty-handed, DA might consider a shake up if he can’t get him to commit to a sixth-man role. Coupling Rozier’s value and some picks, maybe a talent or two, could land a bigger name for the future if he continues this level of play.

Déjà Vu

Never get attached to a player, unless they’re Paul Pierce, and even then your heart could get shattered. The C’s have a brutal history of trading away fan favorites, most commonly elite level or franchise favorite PGs. Maybe a Danny Ainge thing, maybe “just a business.” Still, it’s hard to keep trust in a guy who would trade away his mom for a top-three pick. In theory, these moves would create a better team and make improvements for the future, which in most cases holds true. The Celtics have improved their record and core, so it appears like that formula might be working. At what expense though? Let’s take a look at some names that once donned the Celtic green, now exiled in the dungeons of TD Garden:

Rajon Rondo

What a PG. Sure, had a few good guys around him, but his triple threat of passing/scoring/rebounding earned a reputation around the league. Personality problems were his ticket out of Boston, and he wound up in Dallas in a deal for essentially Jae Crowder. He’s produced handsomely for New Orleans since. Not a Kyrie Irving or an Isaiah Thomas, but still.

Isaiah Thomas

Wow, Danny sure hustled the league with this guy. Poor IT4. Brought to Boston in ’14-’15 because 15 PPG and four APG wasn’t enough for Phoenix to keep him around. He was acquired via trade averaging 19/5 for Boston. As an NBA “frequent flyer”, he returned in ’15-’16, and IT4 didn’t waste a minute trying to find a home. He dropped 22.2 PPG in ’15, and an astounding 28.9 PPG in ’16, and STILL didn’t earn the love of Father Danny after three years of improvement. It also didn’t matter that he alone carried Boston the entire year, including a memorable run into the playoffs.

This will always be one of those heart-breaking cases, as IT4 only wanted to fill a workhorse role for the team and find glory. After Danny found out about the bad hip, he took his horse behind the stable, and that was that.

Kevin Garnett/Paul Pierce

Taking away the whole ‘old’ thing, this was just pure robbery from the Celtics. After dealing two Hall-of-Famers to Brooklyn for what would later turn out to be Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, Danny made sure the Nets would never see light again. Perhaps this could be one of those “sell-high” cases, but let’s be honest. Both guys dropped production, so this infamous deal was based on names. Getting rid of Pierce was tough for Boston, but where the franchise stands today stems from that landscape-changing trade back in 2013.

Kyrie Irving?

So Danny wakes up one day and breaks all of Boston’s hearts and trades Kyrie. He looks at the knee, talks to the doctors, and off he goes for the future of another NBA franchise and 20 draft picks over the next five years. Unlikely? Maybe not. IT4 would be the biggest example. Notably, it isn’t first time Kyrie has had an injury, as he missed a majority of his only year in college from a ligament tear in his right toe. He also fractured his left knee-cap in the 2015 playoffs. Fast forward to 2018. A right knee surgery side-lined him for the playoffs and during points of the season. Issues like this seem to always scare Ainge, so if you love Irving now, maybe don’t get too attached.

No doubt of Kyrie’s elite PG status as one of the top ten players in the league. But as history shows, could he be the next head Danny puts on a stake outside of the Garden?

The Decision

No one but D.A. knows his plans when this summer hits for the Celtics. Rozier would be an attractive piece for any team, but do displays of high-caliber play prove more of a faux pas for what Scary Terry can actually do? No doubt a main factor for the Celtics 2018 playoff run, but his run in Boston could be coming to an end. Hopefully not, because this guy is beloved by the same fans who loved similar PGs before him. Boston fans are faithful; management not so much. But hey, that’s why they say it’s a business.

If it comes down it, TR12 should really do whats best for him and his goals. Outlasting or even out-performing Kyrie Irving is no small task, yet neither is leading a team to the Eastern Conference Finals. But, here we are. Does Rozier get to spook teams from Boston another day, or will Your Grace Danny Ainge send him on his way from House Celtics? Your guess is as good as anyone’s, but no one can forecast what Boston will do. Probably not even this guy below. Here’s hoping for you, TR12.

Follow me on Twitter @JaxBrown725

Importance of Dustin Pedroia’s Comeback

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Many in Red Sox Nation have started growing tired of waiting for Dustin Pedroia. The four-time Gold Glove award winner started this season on the DL with a left knee injury. Many people bring up the idea of getting rid of the 2008 AL MVP. It seems as though many fans are comfortable with Eduardo Nunez being the everyday second baseman over the four-time All-Star, but they should not be.

Importance of Pedroia’s Defense

Eduardo Nunez is not a good defensive second baseman. His range has not been the same since his knee injury that he suffered last year. The difference between the two knee injuries was that since Nunez tried to play through his, he aggravated it, while the Red Sox were much more careful with Pedroia’s.

Dustin Pedroia will be a difference-maker defensively. He is a four-time Gold Glove Award winner, and he has never had a season with a negative dWAR (defensive wins above replacement) rating. So far this year, Nunez’s dWAR is -0.3, which needs improvement.

Pedroia at second base instead of Nunez will make the first baseman’s job much easier also, with more accurate throws coming from that direction. Also, pitchers will feel more comfortable throwing strikes with Pedroia behind them.

Pedroia’s Offense

Many of Pedroia’s doubters have not been paying attention to how bad of a year Eduardo Nunez is having offensively. Currently, he is hitting .233/.256/.353 in 150 at-bats. His OPS (.610) is 116 points below the league average. How could Dustin Pedroia do any better? I’ll tell you how.

The four-time All-Star had a great season in 2016. He hit .318/.376/.449/.825 in 154 games and 633 at-bats. While he may not have as great of a season as he did in 2016, there is no way his numbers will be too far from those. If that is not enough for you, last year he hit .293/.269/.392/.760 in 105 games last year. Sure, he may not be as durable as Nunez, but he is a clear offensive and defensive upgrade.

Pedroia’s Role in the Clubhouse

Credit: Christopher Evans.

Pedroia’s doubters also believe that he is not a leader in the clubhouse, but that is not true. Our roster is filled with young talent, and not many of them have played in Boston as long as Pedroia. Dustin Pedroia is a fan-favorite in Boston no matter how many doubters there are. He knows how to deal with the Boston media and will be the voice of the team.

In conclusion, the return of Dustin Pedroia will give a much-needed boost to a team that is playing .500 baseball in the last 24 games.

Time To Sell High On Terry Rozier

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Terry Rozier has gone from a no-name backup to one of the better players for the Celtics this postseason. Scary Terry has proven more than impressive this postseason filling in for the injured Kyrie Irving. On the way to a 2-0 lead over the Lebron James Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference finals, Rozier has become a fan favorite in Boston. However even though Rozier has been impressive it should not change the Celtics trade stance. Actually it should encourage Danny Ainge to trade him even more.

Smart or Rozier

Peak value would support a Rozier trade. Ainge could get another team to buy into Rozier as an elite starting point guard. The other major factor — Celtics cannot sign both Marcus Smart and Terry Rozier. One of them will have to go, and Smart just fits this Celtics team better than Rozier.

Rozier posts better offensive numbers than Smart, who can seem like a liability on the offensive end. Smart provides all the intangibles that a contending team needs to get over the hump, from his tenacity on the defensive end to his willingness to stand up for his teammates and do the dirty work. We witnessed this when he had no hesitation confronting Smith after he shoved Al Horford in mid air.

Smart is nowhere near the offensive player as Rozier, and may never be. But the Celtics have more than enough scoring on this team to make up for Smart’s deficiencies on the defensive end. If you look at it closely, Rozier poses a liability at the defensive end at points. Even his offensive advantage is minimized by his lack of size on the defensive side of the ball.

Fools Gold

Yes, everyone loves an underdog story. Rozier went from never starting a game in his first two seasons to scoring a triple double his fast NBA start and followed that up by dropping 32 points in his second start. Ever since then, Rozier’s value has been skyrocketing to the point that a few delusional people are entertaining the thought of trading Kyrie and making Rozier the starting point guard. For some reason, whenever a player has a good stretch, he suddenly becomes untouchable. Look at the Celtics team from a few years ago: Bradley, Crowder, Thomas, Turner. When opinion held that the Celtics lost the Kyrie Irving trade, only a few months later it turns out Ainge fleeced the Cavs.

Ainge is a fantastic executive and very rarely makes a bad mistake. So I do not have much doubt that he will be able to capitalize on Rozier’s value. Maybe he could spin it to put Rozier at the center of a blockbuster trade. Fans should focus on Ainge getting something of value for Rozier. Do not get to attached and do not take the bait on Terry Rozier. A good player, yes. But as your starting point guard, your team won’t win a title.

Matt Light: 27th Inductee in Patriots Hall of Fame

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Patriots Hall of Fame Spotlight Shines on Matt Light

Via CLNS Media

The New England Patriots have announced that former offensive lineman Matt Light will be inducted into the Patriots Hall Of Fame this September. Light spent his career 11 seasons with the Patriots, earning three Super Bowl rings in his five league championship appearances protecting quarterback Tom Brady’s blind side. He joins Troy Brown, Kevin Faulk, and Tedy Bruschi as the fourth player to enter the Patriots Hall of Fame with three Super Bowl wins. Matt Light was selected by the Patriots in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft.

High Praise For The New England Patriots

Matt Light told ESPN yesterday ” First and foremost, it’s very humbling,” It’s the biggest honor I can think of where you’re being recognized by the people in the community and the fans that really understood you as a player. It’s hard to put into words, really, I mean, I had an opportunity to come to New England, and play football. There are so many things about my NFL experience that’s truly unique… it’s hard for me to believe I’m a Hall of Famer for the Patriots. It’s tough for me to grasp that.”

Last season when the Patriots were one of the teams taking a knee during the anthem protests, light told the Boston Herald he’d never been so ashamed to be a Patriot. “If you think that it’s OK to take a knee during our national anthem and disrespect openly the national anthem, you are wrong. As a guy that’s been there and helped set up the Patriot Way so they can walk in there and do what they do, it’s beyond disheartening. It’s the first time I’ve ever been ashamed to be a Patriot. And I promise you I’m not the only one.” But when he’s going into the Hall Of Fame he has to praise the Patriots organization.

Did he have to say he was ashamed to be a New England Patriot? He wouldn’t have those Super Bowl rings without the quarterback or the head coach. But congratulations on getting into the team Hall of Fame.

Brad Stevens Named a Finalist for Coach of the Year

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Stevens is up for his first COTY award.

Brad Stevens is a COTY Finalist

Celtics head coach Brad Stevens is finalist for the NBA Coach of the Year award. Alongside him, Quin Snyder of the Jazz and Dwayne Casey (formerly) of the Raptors won a nomination.

A Great Year for Stevens

This season, Brad guided an undermanned and injury-plagued squad to a 55-27 record, including a scorching 16-2 start. This was good enough for second in the conference and fourth in the NBA, in just his fifth season with the team. As the season progressed, the success only magnified his coaching prowess in the absence of the team’s stars. Stars Gordon Hayward (missed whole season) and Kyrie Irving (22 games, including rest of playoffs) missed large amounts of time.

As the team’s play showed, Stevens demanded results night in and night out from his guys, even against tough match-ups. Improbably, this came even on nights when the roster was so depleted that Guerschon Yabusele and Jabari Bird started. Under Stevens’ tutelage, the team received contributions from every player on the roster. Throughout the year, he developed even his youngest players into reliable contributors. For example, Jayson Tatum, 20, is a Rookie of the Year candidate. Often on the court with Tatum, Jaylen Brown, 21, has provided impactful minutes for the team as well.

The Competition

This year, Snyder and Casey will challenge Stevens for the award. Snyder guided his squad to a 48-34 record, which was good enough for fifth in the Western Conference. The team, whose leaders included Rudy Gobert and rookie Donovan Mitchell, was able to advance to the second round of the playoffs. The third candidate is Casey, who took his Raptors to a 59-23 record, first in the East. Under Casey, DeMar Derozan and Kyle Lowry led the team to an excellent regular season. However, this race becomes interesting as Casey was recently fired from his position after losing in four games to the Cavaliers.

This year, the league will reveal the winner of the award on June 25th. Brad Stevens certainly seems to have a great shot at gaining proper recognition for his coaching ability. However, we will see if the media members that comprise the voting team feel the same.

Jayson Tatum Named 2018 NBA Rookie of the Year Finalist

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Boston Celtics rookie Jayson Tatum was recently named a finalist for the NBA’s Rookie of the Year award. He joins Ben Simmons of the Philadelphia 76ers and Donovan Mitchell of the Utah Jazz in what has been one of the most hotly contested races in recent history.

Jayson Tatum

Jayson Tatum has his team on the cusp of the NBA Finals. In his rookie campaign, Tatum averages 18.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.2 steals per game in the playoffs. This postseason, he joined fellow rookie Donovan Mitchell as the only rookies since Julius Erving in 1972 to string together seven straight 20+ point playoff games. Tatum also became the youngest player in NBA history to score 200 points in the playoffs, surpassing Kobe Bryant in the process. If the award included postseason accolades, Jayson Tatum is a shoe-in for the award.

https://twitter.com/MidRangeBR/status/994409422834294784

Playoff performances aside, Jayson Tatum is considered by many to be the most complete player of the 2017 draft class. He showcases his ability to score at ease from all three levels. Tatum broke the Celtics’ rookie record for three pointers made in a season with 105 and scored 43% of those attempts. He possesses a smooth as butter shot and the ability to play staunch man defense on the other end. Tatum can also knock down step back shots, and finish at the rim at an efficient rate. Tatum averaged 13.9 points, 5 rebounds, and 1.6 assists during the regular season.

Ben Simmons

Ben Simmons is the favorite to win the award, as he dominated the league with stellar performances all season long. Simmons averaged 15.1 points, 8.1 rebounds, 8.2 assists (fifth in NBA) and 1.7 steals per game. With 2017’s first pick Markelle Fultz injured on the sidelines, Simmons opened eyes and dropped jaws with his high basketball IQ, stellar passing ability and court awareness, and the ability to finish efficiently at the rim.

As a 6’10” point guard, Simmons’s versatility helped fuel one of the NBA’s top ranked defenses. He was also one of 16 players to get two steals per 100 team plays, and block at least 2% of shots.

https://twitter.com/jtylerconway/status/991142320107147265

Simmons averaged 16.3 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 7.7 assists during the postseason. He led the 76ers past a tough Miami Heat team, where he then clashed with fellow rookie Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics. Philadelphia was eliminated in five games.

Donovan Mitchell

Donovan Mitchell is considered by many as the fan favorite for the Rookie of the Year award. After Gordon Hayward’s departure, the Utah Jazz looked for Mitchell to step up and provide much of the offense this season. Consequently, Mitchell responded impressively, producing 20.5 points (top among rookies), 3.7 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. Mitchell displayed a unique ability to create his own shot, getting separation between him and his defender with ease as he used his first step quickness. He was also a difference-maker as part of the NBA’s second ranked defense. Coming into the league known more as a defensive player, Mitchell certainly has overall exceeded his potential.

ICYMI: Here is another angle & replay of Donovan Mitchell’s (@spidadmitchell) game tying 3-pointer. Utah was down 114-111 before the possession began. #TakeNote https://t.co/j5wUC4x5xC

— LFL (@YaaBoiBillNye) March 24, 2018

Much like Jayson Tatum, Mitchell raised his game when the lights shined the brightest. He led the Utah Jazz into the playoffs, dropping 24.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.5 steals per game. He led his team into the Conference Semis, where the Jazz were ousted by the Houston Rockets in five games.

Though it is a regular season award, it is a sign of something special. Watching each of the three candidates battle in the playoffs this young into their careers is great for the NBA.

The Rookie of the Year award winner will be announced June 25th on TNT.

Manny Machado to LA Needs to Happen

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The fact Manny Machado is still in a Baltimore Orioles uniform is a concern. Mainly because Machado was predicted to be traded this past off-season. Rumors circulated that Machado could have been dealt to the Yankees, and thank God we avoided that nightmare. So the question is, “If traded, where will Manny Machado land?” That destination has to be the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the timing for that to happen is inevitable.

A Surprise Job Opening

Let’s take a little trip back in time. In September 2015, the Dodgers called up a twenty-one year old shortstop named Corey Seager. Since then, you can say he has been their guy with the bat and in the field. Seager hit .337 in that one month during 2015 and possessed a .949 fielding percentage. In 2016, however, Seager really made his mark. In his first full season, Seager accumulated a .308 BA with 27 home runs and 72 RBI’s. He also took home National League Rookie of the Year honors, a Silver Slugger and an All-Star appearance in 2016 as well. In 2017, Seager was also on the All-Star Game roster and a Silver Slugger award winner for a consecutive year.

So Corey Seager’s pretty good at baseball and has been the backbone of the Dodgers since his emergence in the league. This season however, Seager’s season was cut short due to after being diagnosed with Tommy John and needing surgery which ended his 2018 campaign. With a huge hole in the Dodgers lineup a move must be made to replace Corey Seager. That move has to be bringing Manny Machado to Los Angeles.

Could It Happen?

Machado, who is now a shortstop, is an ideal fit for the club, and it’s a no-brainer. Machado is entering his final season with Baltimore and is looking to take his talents elsewhere. With Baltimore clearly in a rebuilding stage and the Dodgers possessing one of the top farm systems, it will surely benefit both clubs. With Machado going to Los Angeles, it would provide some bright prospects in the Dodgers organization to benefit a ball club like the Orioles.

Machado replacing Corey Seager is an ideal situation that needs to happen. Although the Braves and Yankees could be possible destinations as well, this deal would seem to make the most sense. If a deal is not made by Los Angeles and Baltimore it would be a waste of an opportunity for both clubs.

Sony Michel- the Patriots’ Lead Dawg

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Top Dawg

Jan 8, 2018; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Sony Michel (1) against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the CFP National Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

With the 31st pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, the Patriots selected Georgia Bulldog Sony Michel. This is the first running back the Patriots have selected in the first round since Lawrence Maroney.

Michel comes into the league with a tremendous opportunity to produce in a Tom Brady led offense. In the past, the Patriots have been known to have a game-by-game approach with their running backs. However, this situation feels different. Bill Belichick spent a first round pick on Michel for a reason. He joins a backfield with James White (pass catching specialist), Rex Burkehead (often injured), and Brandon Bolden (Special Teams). With the departure of Dion Lewis, and his 180 carries, the backfield is wide open.

Greatness Awaits

At Georgia, Michel often played second fiddle to Nick Chubb. However, Michel was able to flash lead-back talent when he was given a sufficient workload. For example, during the Rose Bowl, Michel ran for a whopping 181 yards on 11 attempts. He also added four receptions for 41 yards and a touchdown. He followed that performance up with a 98 yard effort on 14 carries versus a stout Alabama defense.

Michel has the ability and situation to be a successful NFL running back. Michel will be an important part of the Patriots offense, but he will not be the centerpiece of the offense. In an offense that features Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski, and Julian Edelman, Michel will have room to grow. In recent history, running backs who have entered the league in a stable offense have had time to develop and thrive. This will allow him to ease into the NFL and have a better understanding of the game. Michel is a smart player and will thrive in the NFL. He has the mental and the physical abilities to produce. The fact that Belichick was willing to spend a first round pick on him should indicate the kind of player he can and should become.

Why Re-signing Khudobin Is Key

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The Bruins will have many tough decisions this offseason. A few players entering free agency are Riley Nash, Rick Nash, Anton Khudobin, and Tim Schaller. Of all these players, the most valuable is Khudobin. Before last season the Bruins struggled to find a good goalie to back up Rask. This cost them late in the season as they tried to make the postseason. After struggling in 2016-2017, Khudobin had a bounce back year. He proved this past season why resigning him will be key for the Bruins.

Khudobin by the Numbers

This past season Khudobin statistically had his best season since 2013-2014, when he was in Carolina. He recorded sixteen wins, which was three short of his career high. He had the third lowest Goal Against average of his career. Khudobin stabilized a position that has been a glaring weakness for the Bruins. He proved that he was able to handle the increased responsibility as he played the third most minutes of his career. He also recorded his first shutout since 2015-2016 when he was with the Ducks.

Picture Credit: John Tlumacki/ Globe Staff

Beyond the Statline

Khudobin’s impact was not just reflected in his numbers but the impact he had on the team. Early on in the season when Rask was struggling, his backup pushed him to improve. When it seemed like Rask may lose his job as the number one goalie to Khudobin, he played much better. The backups in recent years had never put that type of pressure on Rask. Khudobin’s play allowed the Bruins to rest Rask throughout the season to keep him fresh for the playoffs. Every night it seemed like the Bruins had a chance to win regardless of who was in net once Rask got on a roll. This was key for the Bruins as they have many young defenseman.

Photo by Steve Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images

Will the Bruins Re-sign Their Backup ?

Resigning Khudobin will not be easy. The Bruins do not have much cap space to work with. They have to think of the future as Charlie McAvoy, Brandon Carlo, and Ryan Donato will all be restricted free agents after next season and Jake DeBrusk the year after. All those players will command large contracts and replacing them isn’t a simple task. The Bruins have no goaltender in the minors that is NHL ready. Bringing back Khudobin will be key for this team if the two sides can find common ground. A one year will deal may be best as it solves a present need while giving the Bruins flexibility in the future.