Good morning, Sports fans! Davey Mac here with a big Sports Report for ya on a Thursday! Huge NBA trade making headlines! Gerrit Cole brilliant again! Taylor Swift at the Jets game? And more! But first…
…Did you see what New York Yankees principal owner Hal Steinbrenner said recently? Steinbrenner spoke to the media recently and said that there will be “massive” changes to the team this offseason…which is music to Yankee fans’ ears. This year has been an unmitigated disaster for the Yanks who…despite having Aaron Judge and Gerrit Cole having great seasons again…will miss the playoffs for the first time since 2016 and just the third time this century.
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 11: Managing general partner and co-chairperson Hal Steinbrenner of the New York Yankees looks on during a news conference introducing Masahiro Tanaka (not to the media on February 11, 2014 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
The question is: Who is Hal planning on firing? Let’s start with manager Aaron Boone first. While Boone has yet to win a World Series as skipper of the team…in six seasons he is 507 and 358…which is a win percentage of .586…pretty good actually. Furthermore, he is well-liked by the Yankee players…especially Aaron Judge, the captain of the team.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 04: Aaron Boone #17 of the New York Yankees during a 4-1 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on June 04, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
So should Boone really lose his job? In my estimation, the blame needs to be shifted to general manager Brian Cashman. From hideous trades where he acquired busts Josh Donaldson, Joey Gallo, and Aaron Hicks…or terrible free agent singings like Jacoby Elsbury…or awful decisions like trading the clutch-hitting and still-in-his-twenties Gio Urshela. Cashman and his entire “analytics” department absolutely stinks. Cashman and his team of cronies think that it’s 2002 and the team they’re running is the Oakland A’s…hence they’re obsession with Moneyball.
BRONX, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 21: New York Yankee general manager Brian Cashman speaks to the media during a press conference at Yankee Stadium on December 21, 2022 in Bronx, New York. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
But the Yankees have never had to play Moneyball…which is essentially a strategy for small market clubs trying to compete with the big boys. These clubs go after guys with high on-base percentage and lots of home runs and the baseball people in charge don’t care if they strike out. But guess what…that thinking led to us watching Donaldson, and Gallo, and Hicks, and more striking out an ungodly amount of times. Bad baseball.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 08: New York Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman speaks to the media prior to the start of the game against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium on April 08, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
The bottom line is that this mess is Cashman’s. Hopefully the changes Hal will make will include getting a new general manager for this once-proud organization. I’m Davey Mac…that’s my two cents.
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 06: (L-R) Managing General Partner, Co-Chairperson Hal Steinbrenner, Senior Vice President, General Manager Brian Cashman and Aaron Boone pose for a photo at Yankee Stadium on December 6, 2017 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
Yanks' Cole Shuts Out Jays
Despite the Yankees’ awful and disappointing season where they will not make the MLB postseason…Gerrit Cole has been one of the very few bright spots. Cole threw a complete game shutout yesterday as the Yanks beat the Blue Jays…6 to nothing. Cole threw all nine innings…giving up just two hits and no runs while striking out five. He is now 15 and 4 for the season…with a 2.63 ERA in the A.L. East. He very well may win the Cy Young on one of the worse Yankee teams of this century. Aaron Judge also homered twice to bring his total to 37 home runs for the year.
TORONTO, CANADA – SEPTEMBER 27: Gerrit Cole #45 of the New York Yankees leaves the field after their MLB game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on September 27, 2023 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)
Mets Split Doubleheader With Miami
Meanwhile, the Mets played a doubleheader against the Marlins yesterday. In the first game, the Mets crushed Miami…11 to 2. Pete Alonso slugged his 47th home run of the season. In game 2, the Mets fell to the Marlins…4 to 2. Met reliever Adam Ottavino receives the loss.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 27: Pete Alonso #20 of the New York Mets rounds first base after he hit a two run home run in the first inning against the Miami Marlins during game one of a double header at Citi Field on September 27, 2023 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Phils Get Past Pittsburgh
The Phillies took down the Pirates…7 to 6. Bryce Harper connected on a seventh inning home run for the Phils which proved to be the difference. The Phils are getting ready for the National League playoffs.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – SEPTEMBER 27: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies hits a solo home run during the seventh inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citizens Bank Park on September 27, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Bucks Trade For Lillard
Huge story out of the NBA…The Portland Trail Blazers traded guard Damian Lillard to play alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo with the Milwaukee Bucks as part of a three-team deal that also includes the Phoenix Suns. Insane. Lillard, an incredible point guard, playing with Giannis, a dynamic seven-footer, will be insane. The Knicks now NEED Embiid to compete!
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – FEBRUARY 19: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trailblazers is drafted by Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks prior to the 2023 NBA All Star Game between Team Giannis and Team LeBron at Vivint Arena on February 19, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Saleh & Jets Okay With Rodgers' Comments
Jets head coach Robert Saleh and Jets players had no problem with injured quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ comments about not pointing fingers at each other. Said cornerback D.J. Reed: “He’s right, man, you can’t blow up and show our frustration on the sideline…especially on the sideline.”
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 24: Head coach Robert Saleh of the New York Jets directs his team in the first half against the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium on September 24, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Taylor Swift At Jets Game On Sunday
In other Jets news, whether you like it or not, Taylor Swiftis expected to be in the house when Travis Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs take on the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium this Sunday. Travis made the announcement on his podcast with his brother.
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – SEPTEMBER 24: Taylor Swift reacts during the first half of a game between the Chicago Bears and the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jason Hanna/Getty Images)
That's Today's Sports Report!
That’s Today’s Davey Mac Sports Report!
Catch previous editions in the Sports Report section for daily sports awesomeness! BAM!
