With My Apologies

     I begin this blog with a couple of apologies. First, to Muhlenberg women's lacrosse defender Kate O'Connell, I glaringly left out the great anticipatory play she made in the second half to scoop up an errant throw by F&M and take possession in a critical point of the game. Although her steal did not lead to a score by Muhlenberg, it was a heady reaction by a woman who has not played that much defense in her career. It was well-received by the home crowd.

     To Sal Tromonda, yes, I know how to spell your name correctly. I cannot blame the computer for correcting the misspelling. That one's on me. I'm not going to make excuses. There are none.

     And to my readers, I apologize for the randomness in my schedule. Since I am not taking my laptop with me on some of the previously mentioned jaunts, I cannot always find the opportunity to write in a timely fashion. So know that, for at least this week, I will be back to my schedule. I can't guarantee next week and certainly there is a gap over Memorial Day weekend as I conclude my travels.

     What has happened in the last couple of days? The Yankees lost not one but 2 games in a row--surrendering a game-winning homer to league-leading hitter J.D. Martinez of Boston on Thursday night. Then Sonny Gray faced his old team and the A's took advantage of a bad Sonny Gray outing (again) to demolish the Bombers. Saturday the Yanks won in 11, regaining their winning ways at least momentarily.

     Brett Gardner seems to be coming out of his funk. Aaron Judge is slugging homers and amassing R.B.I's. Didi Gregorious finally smacked a baes hit to left field, ending an 0 for 30 slump for the A.L. Player of the Month for April. You can still sense that the Yankees aren't quite operating on all cylinders.

     Tiger Woods shot a 7 under 65 after two days of play that had him at -1 at The Players' Championship. It was brief glimpse of the magic of Tiger on a golf course. This superb round still left him a full 10 strokes behind leader Webb Simpson. Away from the dream pairing of Woods, Phil Mickelson and Ricky Fowler where the latter two did not make the cut, Tiger was the Tiger of yesteryear. You know that NBC was loving this. To me, I pose a simpler question--can he shoot that kind of round two days in a row?

     In Pittsburgh on Friday night, the San Francisco Giants visited PNC Park for a 3 game series . This represented the first trip back to the Steel City for outfielder Andrew McCutchen. Andrew spent 9 years in a Pirates' uniform, where he made five All-Star teams and he won the N.L. M.V.P. Award in 2013. He was the heart and soul of the Pirates' resurgence and led them to the playoffs three times. He was humble, hard-working, talented and adored by the Pirate faithful.

     The Pirates honored him with a tribute video in the bottom of the 1st inning. In the top of the 1st, McCutchen received a warm standing ovation prior to striking out. It was a tremendous moment. McCutchen was the subject of a lengthy replay when he threw out a Pirates' runner at the plate to end the 6th inning. According to the Giants' broadcasters, of course the call stayed--it was Mc Cutchen Night...

     Dwane Casey, the beleaguered Toronto Raptors coach, who is the presumptive N.B.A. Coach of the Year for leading the team to the Eastern Conference regular season title, was fired for not stopping  Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Specifically, Raptors President Masai Ujiri's frustration with Casey boiled over when the Raptors did not double team James, who converted the game winning basket in Game 3. Ujiri went ballistic, which was heard by the team after the game. It was only a matter of time.

     Conversely, Brad Stevens did not receive a single vote for Coach of The Year. He has the Celtics in the Eastern Finals against Cleveland, despite losing Gord Hayward in the first game of the season and Kyrie Irving for the end of the season and the playoffs. Arguably, Stevens is the best coach in the N.B.A.

     He sure showed his talent by getting his team past the Milwaukee Bucks and the Philadelphia 76'ers. I wondered why he left the college ranks where he was a success. Danny Ainge, the Boston G.M., saw he was a great coach and plucked him away from Butler University. Ainge was right; I was so wrong. But then again, so were the voters for the Coach of the Year Award.

     David Price, the left-handed Boston Red Sox enigma, has done it again. Allegedly, he developed carpal tunnel syndrome from playing the video game Fortnite. The top flight pitcher, the number one draft pick for the Tampa Bay Rays out of Vanderbilt, with loads of talent, enough to win the Cy Young Award in 2012. Who inexplicably falls apart at inopportune times, Who surrendered Derek Jeter's 3,000 hit. Who came back tonight with a good performance against Toronto. And who has promised to stay away from the video games. Let's see how that goes...

     Third baseman Chase Headley, traded by the Yankees to his former team, San Diego, was designated for assignment by the Padres. Headley struggled last season in New York, coming alive late in the season and during he playoffs. The Yankees made the correct choice and have thus far prospered at third with rookie Miguel Andujar. I liked the switch hitting Headley. He tried very hard but his head was a mess at the plate and in the field. Still, I don't like to see such a likable player dumped like this. I hope he gets one more shot at redemption.

     The best story of the weekend goes to Anthony Lynn, the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers.
Lynn left Texas Tech in 1992, six hours short of his degree. He played pro football until 1999, then went into coaching. When he was entering the NFL, Lynn promised his mother he would graduate. On Saturday, he walked the aisle at UNLV, receiving his degree in interdisciplinary studies. His wife, daughter, and team owner Dean Spanos and his wife were in attendance. As was his proud mother.

     To my readers, I say Happy Mother's Day. There is never a need to apologize for that.