Good morning, this is Dan Gartland. I’m going to a Yankees game on Saturday, but last night’s win made me more optimistic.
Today at SI:AM:
🏈 Stetson Bennett tries to run backwards
🎥 Netflix’s Manti Teo documentary review
📺 The Big Ten’s new TV deal
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It’s finally becoming a reality
As the second half of August draws near, for the benefit of my readers as well as mine, what’s going on around baseballWith only seven weeks left until the season finale (which, oddly enough, is Wednesday, October 5th), the division and wildcard races are starting to form.
I already wrote about the Yankees and Mets last week, but yesterday was a very interesting day, so I’ll start with those.
After losing 11 of their last 13 games and failing to score more than three runs in eight days, Yankees I tried to throw a spark by calling a prospective customer in the infield Oswald Cabrerawas in the midst of a ferocious barrage at the triple-A plate, and center fielder Esteban florala person who can take a turn at bat from a tough fight Aaron HicksThe move didn’t pay off immediately (neither Cabrera nor Florial reached base last night against Sachsen). Raise), but they show that the Yankees knew something had to change. they won 8-7 upon Josh Donaldson’s 10th walk-off grand slamThe Yankees’ playoff berth is all but guaranteed (10 games behind Tampa Bay in the division), but they need to turn things around and look like a championship-caliber team by October. .
of Mets was also called up in a big way yesterday to promote their second prospect, the third baseman. Brett Beattyafter Luis Guillerme When Eduardo Escobar I’m on the injured list.When Last night’s game against the Braves was a big one.The Mets extended their division lead to seven games after winning 4 of 5 against Atlanta two weeks ago. However, the Braves took his first two games in Atlanta this week, narrowing the lead to his 3.5 games. Mets won 9-7 last night to avoid sweepbut.
Injuries are the only concern for the Mets at this point. In addition to Escobar and the all-around Guillorme, they also lost a starter Carlos Carrasco this week. Carrasco is out for a month and could be another member of the rotation. Taijuan Walker, could miss the next start after missing Tuesday’s start with an injury.catcher Thomas Nido Now ill and on the injured list, Mets fans are calling for another high-profile call.The catcher position has been an offensive black hole for the Mets this season, and their biggest prospect (one of the best in all of baseball) is catcher. Francisco AlvarezHe has hit 23 home runs as a minor this year. Alvarez could provide a big lift to the offense if the Mets are looking for a boost in the stretch.
of braves is also doing great.they have a firm grasp Top NL Wildcard Spots 6½ games ahead with a 72–49 record Padres, currently holding the third and final wildcard spot. The San Diego season has been very interesting this past week for him. Suspension of Fernando Tatis Jr., was expected to shock the team when he was ready to come back from injury.of Brewers They are just two games behind the Padres in the final wildcard position. giants 5 and a half games ago and still not dead.
The most interesting teams in the wildcard race are Philliesthey are now only half the game ahead of the Padres, Ready for a big boost soon when Bryce Harper returns From a long injury absence. Harper broke his thumb on June 25 and began batting practice this week. He could begin minor league rehab assignments this weekend.
Two of the most attractive races are the American League. At AL Central he has three teams. Guardian, twins When White socks, in that order, are separated by two games, and those who fail to win the division are in serious danger of missing out on the postseason. The three wildcard spots are currently Mariners (65–54), Raise (62–54), blue jays (62–54).there is 4 teams within 4 games of last wildcard spot: Twins, Orioles, White Sox, Red Sox. Here are eight teams with a good chance of grabbing four postseason spots. Let the madness begin.
the best sports illustrated
Kevin D. Lyles/Sports Illustrated
Like yesterday, today’s Daily Cover is an article on the cover of the magazine’s Soccer Preview issue. This time it’s Pat Ford of Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett. A former walk-on who led the Bulldogs to a national championship.
Stett is now a star quarterback, evolving after years of being questioned and considered disposable to a position and persona that is a confusing reality. , Bennett’s 2021 season ranks right up there. The mongrel walk-ons, who dropped out after one season, have returned only to attend junior college and be relegated back-to-back. He won the same honors in his Bowl semi-finals with Orange before becoming the offensive MVP of the college football playoffs he championship he played. Michigan. He was also fourth nationally in passing efficiency.
Conor Orr tells us what to look out for during Week 2 of the NFL preseason. …Usually quarterbacks get all the headlines, but Ford has a list of the 25 most interesting non-QBs in college football this season. talked about his retirement announcement. …Jimmy Traina and I are on the same page as his review of his new Manti Te’o documentary on Netflix.
Around the world of sports
The Big Ten have officially announced a new media rights deal. …The Lakers have reportedly agreed to a contract extension for LeBron James.…The Texas Rangers have fired team president Jon Daniels after his 17 years with the club. …Chargers Safety Darwin James has reportedly signed a record deal. … Dick Vitale announces he is cancer-free after being diagnosed last year. … Tiger Woods graces the cover PGA TOUR 2K23.
Top five…
… what we saw yesterday:
Five. Harold Ramirez line drive home run ridiculous Launch angle 18 degrees.
Four. Brett Beatty home run in his first MLB swing.
3. this strange fair ball in a triple-A match
2. Dodgers broadcaster David Vassegh reacts To his partner laughing at him hurting himself by sliding down the slide at the Brewers’ ballpark. (He broke his wrist, hand and six ribs.)
1. Marine Johannes Pass During Liberty’s big game sealing run at the end of their upset win over Sky. Third-largest in WNBA playoff history.)
SIQ
When the infamous “Pine Tar Game” between the Royals and Yankees resumed on this day in 1983, how long did it take to complete?
- 12 minutes
- 18 minutes
- 24 minutes
- 36 minutes
Yesterday’s SIQ: On August 17, 1966, who overtook Willie Mays for second place on the all-time home run leaderboard behind Babe Ruth?
- Jimmy Fox
- Ted Williams
- Lou Gehrig
- Mel Ott
answer: Jimmy Fox. It was Mays’ 535th home run, surpassing Fox’s 534 all-time.
Earlier this year, Mays passed another Giants great, Mel Ott, with 512 home runs to become the all-time leader in the National League. Finished third, leaving only Fox between him and Ruth.
Ott’s pursuit of Mark weighed heavily on Mays, but it was easy to overtake Fox.
“I came home to match Ott’s record in Houston, and nobody let me forget that the next home run is a record,” Mays said. United Press International After passing Foxx. “The pressure started to build and I couldn’t help but feel it. There was no time for the pressure to build up.”
Coincidentally, the date of May’s 535th home run, August 17, was the same as the date of his last home run.
From Vault: August 18, 2008
Simon Bruty/Sports Illustrated
One thing in particular struck me when I read Susan Casey’s 2008 article about Michael Phelps’ bid for his eighth Olympic gold medal at the Beijing Olympics.
In one section, Casey writes about why a mental approach to swimming is so important for athletes at Phelps’ level.
But despite the emphasis on the athlete’s body, much of Olympic success is between the ears. By the time an Olympic swimmer walks out of the prep room onto the deck and stands behind a block, the equation isn’t physical. He digs deep into his psyche and empties all his cluttered mind. he is very focused. “I’m trying to get into my own little world,” says Phelps. And like Phelps, swimmers might be with Young Jeezy and Jay-Z in that world.
[…]
If Phelps has self-doubt during the race, it’s not obvious. “This is what I love most,” he says. “I love racing.” But when Phelps talks about competition, his entire energy field shifts. He quietly transforms from a laid back man into a ferocious predator. There is no bragging about this. It’s simply the knowledge that his story is solidly backed by results, the same kind of certainty you’d expect when you hear, say, Tiger Woods holding a chip shot.
“That’s why I didn’t send him to a sports psychologist.” [Phelps’s longtime coach Bob] Bowman says. “Nobody wants to mess it up.”
It’s that last quote that raises my eyebrows. Since retiring from swimming after the 2016 Olympics, Phelps has become a mental health advocate. In 2018, after the 2012 Olympics, he said, “I don’t want to live.” But as Phelps said when Pat Ford caught up with him last year for The Daily Cover, attitudes toward athletes’ mental health support are changing.
“I feel like there’s hope that this stigma will go away and the walls will come down and we’ll finally be accepted,” Phelps told Forde. “You should be able to. [Osaka] What you did at that stage was very powerful and very vulnerable. It’s always going to be a battle like that.”
See more SI’s archives and historical images can be found at vault.si.com.
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