Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...
I Dig Sports

I Dig Sports

Source: Bucs' Brady to have minor knee surgery

Published in Breaking News
Thursday, 11 February 2021 16:25

TAMPA, Fla. -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady will undergo a minor surgical procedure on his knee this offseason, a source confirmed to ESPN.

The upcoming surgery was first reported by the Tampa Bay Times.

A source close to the situation told ESPN that this was not a recent injury and that Brady, who led the Bucs to a victory Sunday in Super Bowl LV, had been planning the procedure for months. It wasn't immediately clear which knee the procedure will be on.

Brady was not listed on the Bucs' injury report all season. He was listed on the report as "not injury related" when he was given a handful of off days by coach Bruce Arians, something the Bucs also did with Rob Gronkowski, Ndamukong Suh and other veteran players.

Brady wore a brace on his left knee Wednesday during the Buccaneers' Super Bowl boat parade. But wearing the brace is not uncommon for the 43-year-old Brady, who also wears it when golfing and during other recreational activities.

Brady was named Super Bowl MVP for the fifth time in his career Sunday after passing for 201 yards and three touchdowns in Tampa Bay's 31-9 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.

With the win, Brady has more Super Bowl titles (seven) than any franchise in NFL history, topping the six each won by the Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots. Brady also became the only player with five Super Bowl MVPs; Joe Montana is second all time with three.

With Super Bowl LV in the rearview, the 2021 NFL offseason is here, albeit an odd one. Amid the continuation of the COVID-19 pandemic, much -- if not all -- of the offseason will be virtual.

While the annual scouting combine is essentially scrapped this year, the NFL draft will go on as planned at the end of April. And even before that, teams will navigate the salary cap in this year's mid-March free agency. Numerous teams could have new quarterbacks by next season, too. It promises to be a busy few months, and anything can happen. Expect the unexpected as all 32 NFL teams gear up for the 2021 season.

With that in mind, let's think outside the box a little bit. We asked our NFL Nation reporters to give us one big and bold prediction for the 2021 offseason. Nothing is off-limits, but keep in mind that these are adventurous suggestions of what might happen, rather than obvious or even highly probable outcomes. Our reporters imagined everything from a big Alabama reunion in Miami to the signing of an elite receiver by one AFC South team to an NFC East team adding a pass-rusher who tormented it this season to numerous QB movers and shakers. Let's jump in.

Jump to:
ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN
CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND
JAX | KC | LAC | LAR | LV | MIA | MIN
NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF
SEA | TB | TEN | WSH

AFC EAST

Buffalo Bills

The Bills will not re-sign Matt Milano.

The outside linebacker hits free agency this offseason and is Buffalo's third home run from its 2017 class along with Tre'Davious White and Dion Dawkins -- both of whom already have received contract extensions. The Bills can't afford Milano, however, without shedding enough salary to make room for his projected $13.8 million-a-year salary. With a declining salary cap in 2021, Milano will be the first major homegrown player to leave Buffalo under Brandon Beane. -- Marcel Louis-Jacques


Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins reunite an Alabama trio, drafting DeVonta Smith and Najee Harris to pair with Tua Tagovailoa.

Roll Fins? The Dolphins spent the 2020 offseason building the trenches and finding their QB, and we're betting on Miami going all-in on Tagovailoa while surrounding him with two of the best offensive weapons in the draft. Miami currently has the No. 3 and No. 18 picks -- perfect landing spots for Smith and Harris, respectively, and maybe the Dolphins even trade back a few spots to nab them -- but it gives Tagovailoa a pair of much-needed explosive playmakers in two guys he had great chemistry and relationships with at Alabama. -- Cameron Wolfe


New England Patriots

Jimmy Garoppolo will be the Patriots' quarterback in 2021.

This banks on the 49ers being willing to part with Garoppolo, a combination of his $25 million salary and injury history leading them to consider potential upgrades in an offseason when the QB shuffle across the NFL could be intriguing. If they do, it makes sense to think the Patriots would be at the front of the line to bring Garoppolo, who was the original succession plan to Tom Brady, back to New England. -- Mike Reiss


New York Jets

The Jets will trade QB Sam Darnold to the 49ers for second- and third-round picks.

Looking for a veteran placeholder, the Jets will sign 49ers UFA C.J. Beathard, who played under new Jets offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur in San Francisco. Capping the quarterback makeover, the Jets will select BYU's Zach Wilson with the second overall pick. -- Rich Cimini

AFC NORTH

Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens will sign Joe Thuney, one of the top guards in free agency.

The bigger splash would be landing wide receiver Allen Robinson II. But the bigger priority is bolstering the offensive line, based on what coach John Harbaugh and general manager Eric DeCosta said this offseason. Thuney, who played in New England last year under the franchise tag, has been among the most underrated interior linemen in the league. With his durability, grit and high character, Thuney would help fill the void of retired Pro Bowl guard Marshal Yanda, which Baltimore never really did last year. He's also an elite technician, allowing three sacks in the past three seasons. This will go a long way in improving the pass protection for Lamar Jackson. -- Jamison Hensley


Cincinnati Bengals

Cornerback William Jackson III will get a massive contract -- and defensive end Carl Lawson walks.

Lawson stayed healthy in 2020 and showed how disruptive he can be. However, he will be a free agent this offseason and could be in line for a big contract from a team that will allow him to put up big numbers. That leaves more money for Jackson, a 2016 first-round pick who played well last season. Cincinnati has yet to see how the defense looks with Jackson and Trae Waynes as the starting corners. -- Ben Baby


Cleveland Browns

The Browns will extend quarterback Baker Mayfield, making him one of the NFL's highest-paid players.

Coming into last season, Mayfield had plenty of doubters following a rough second season. But after guiding the Browns to their first playoff win in 26 years, while throwing 20 TDs with only 3 INTs after Week 6, Mayfield showed he's the franchise QB whom Cleveland has longed for these past two decades. As a result, the Browns will make sure he remains in Cleveland for the foreseeable future. -- Jake Trotter


Pittsburgh Steelers

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and center Maurkice Pouncey will be back in 2021.

This seemed unlikely as the two sat together and cried on the bench after the wild-card loss, but with Roethlisberger appearing to lean toward returning for the final year of his contract, it's not out of the question that Pouncey ultimately decides to return for one more year. The two have long vowed to play as long as the other, and Roethlisberger would feel more comfortable coming back for a final season with Pouncey rather than breaking in a new center. -- Brooke Pryor

AFC SOUTH

Houston Texans

The Texans will not trade quarterback Deshaun Watson.

Just a few months ago, this wouldn't have even counted as a prediction, but things have taken a turn for the worse this offseason in Houston. Given how quickly the relationship between Watson and the team soured, it seems like this mini soap opera would eventually end in a trade. But the Texans want Watson to be their quarterback, and instead of trading him this offseason if he refuses to report, this could also end with Watson sitting out the season if the relationship isn't repaired. -- Sarah Barshop

play
1:02

Steve Young: Deshaun Watson has upper hand over Texans

Steve Young and Booger McFarland analyze why the Texans insist Deshaun Watson won't be traded.

Indianapolis Colts

The Colts will trade up from the No. 21 spot to select their quarterback of the future.

This is if they don't land Philly's Carson Wentz or the Jets' Sam Darnold via trade. The Colts can't continue to take the one-year Band-Aid approach at the quarterback position and hope it'll help get them further in the playoffs while core players such as Darius Leonard and Quenton Nelson continue to get older. -- Mike Wells


Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars will sign wide receiver Chris Godwin in free agency.

The Jaguars have the most money available (approximately $74 million) and they'll spend a good chunk of it adding another weapon for whichever QB they choose first overall. Godwin becomes the No. 1 in a group that includes DJ Chark Jr., Laviska Shenault Jr. and Collin Johnson. -- Michael DiRocco


Tennessee Titans

The Titans will add a total of four edge rushers through free agency and the draft.

General manager Jon Robinson is well aware of the Titans' void at pass-rusher after the team finished with 19 sacks (30th in the NFL). Tennessee had only three outside linebackers active on game day for most of the season. The Titans will sign a mid-upper-level free-agent pass-rusher along with a bargain player and select two pass-rushers from this year's deep draft class. -- Turron Davenport

AFC WEST

Denver Broncos

The Broncos will re-sign safety Justin Simmons.

He represents everything they say they want to do. At some point, if a franchise continues to tell the players in the locker room they will be rewarded if they play great, are quality ambassadors in the community and are frontline leaders in the building, then the team actually has to show it with the checkbook. Simmons is the player who gets everybody's attention inside the building; if the Broncos don't re-sign him then many will wonder what, exactly, can they do to be part of the team long-term if Simmons can't. -- Jeff Legwold


Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs will find a way to re-sign wide receiver Sammy Watkins despite a tight salary-cap situation.

The Chiefs fought hard to get Watkins in 2018, when they signed him as a free agent, and fought hard to keep him last year on a restructured contract. Watkins is still only 27 and the Chiefs haven't made it a habit to move on from key players when they're at such a young age. -- Adam Teicher


Las Vegas Raiders

Derek Carr will not only remain a Raider, he will sign an extension with Las Vegas.

You wanted bold, right? Yeah, a theory has surfaced that Carr will be a "hot commodity" in the upcoming quarterback carousel, so desired he could command two first-round picks in trade. If that's the case, what are the Raiders waiting for? It's Carr Speculation Season and it will end, again, with the franchise's all-time passing leader staying put with the team that made him a second-round draft pick in 2014 and signed him to that five-year, $125 million extension in 2017. -- Paul Gutierrez


Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers will draft a new left tackle to make sure Justin Herbert is well protected and acquire a more reliable kicker this offseason.

More production up front will allow Herbert, who threw for an NFL rookie-record 31 touchdown passes last season, to continue his development. An upgrade from Michael Badgley, who connected on only 72.7% of his field goal attempts (24-of-33) and missed three extra points, could help the Chargers get over the hump in close games. -- Shelley Smith

NFC EAST

Dallas Cowboys

Dak Prescott will not sign a contract extension.

Despite both sides saying they want to get together with a multiyear commitment, the circumstances to get one done this offseason are much more difficult with a shrinking salary cap. How can they break the roadblock that has been there the past two offseasons? Without a long-term deal, Prescott will play the 2021 season on the franchise tag for the second straight year, earning $37.7 million and all but cementing a departure in 2022 with the franchise tag rising then to more than $52 million. -- Todd Archer

play
0:58

Foxworth: Dak should get out of Dallas

Domonique Foxworth makes the case that Dak Prescott would be better off leaving the Cowboys.

New York Giants

Free-agent edge rusher Haason Reddick will fill a massive Giants hole.

The top of this year's draft doesn't necessarily align with New York's need at edge rusher, so the Giants look to free agency and add an ascending player with explosiveness. Reddick showed in their Week 14 matchup (5 sacks) what he can bring to the table. And as Joe Judge likes to say, show me what a player can do, not what he can't. Reddick can rush the passer and provide speed off the edge. He had 12.5 sacks this past season. The Giants need that. -- Jordan Raanan


Philadelphia Eagles

Philadelphia will draft a quarterback in the first round to compete with Jalen Hurts.

Would the organization really end one quarterback controversy by trading Carson Wentz, just to invite another? That will be a question to grapple with between now and April's draft. The opportunity could be too good to pass up. The Eagles hold the No. 6 pick and obviously hope they're not selecting that high again anytime soon. If they identify a franchise QB, they could pounce while they have the chance. -- Tim McManus


Washington Football Team

Quarterback Alex Smith will want to keep playing -- but he won't be doing it in Washington.

Smith was clearly rejuvenated by returning to the field last year -- and buoyed by how his leg felt, and how he was moving in the pocket, prior to the bone bruise injury. Washington went 5-1 with him and valued his leadership. But the franchise wants to improve at the position and there are concerns if he can last all 16 games and play at a consistent level. It's still possible he returns, at a reduced salary, if Washington can't find another quarterback to pair with Kyle Allen and Taylor Heinicke (or Steven Montez). And it won't mortgage the future to land one. -- John Keim

NFC NORTH

Chicago Bears

The Bears will let wide receiver Allen Robinson II walk in free agency.

Robinson has been a great player for the Bears, but the team balked at extending the 27-year old receiver last year. Robinson is looking for top wide receiver dollars. Chicago values Robinson, but obviously not at that price. The Bears seem content to allow Robinson to test the market. If Robinson finds a team willing to pay big money, he's gone. -- Jeff Dickerson


Detroit Lions

With Jared Goff on the roster, the Lions won't draft a quarterback.

Considering all the needs Detroit has as it reconstructs its roster, acquiring Goff in the Matthew Stafford trade at least gives the Lions a competent quarterback for the immediate future. And if Goff can rejuvenate his career with Detroit -- something no one will know until the end of 2021 at least -- then the position becomes much less necessary. But with gaping holes at receiver and every position on the defense other than cornerback, the Lions focus on young, impact defenders in the draft and push the quarterback question to the 2022 offseason, where the team currently has two first-round picks. -- Michael Rothstein


Green Bay Packers

Aaron Rodgers will skip the offseason workouts -- assuming there are any.

Rodgers has participated every year -- and yes, he has a $500,000 workout bonus -- but if he truly wants to exercise his leverage and get the Packers to commit more guaranteed money to him over the remaining years of his deal, then this could be his course of action if nothing gets done before the offseason program begins. -- Rob Demovsky


Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings will be part of the quarterback carousel in free agency.

If Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers really want Kirk Cousins, now's the time for Minnesota to pull off a trade that will create freedom to reconstruct other parts of the roster. The Vikings could get out of the financial commitment they made to Cousins when he signed a two-year extension last March that comes with a $31 million cap hit for 2021 and go a different direction at the position. If that comes in the form of Jimmy Garoppolo and a second-round pick (they currently don't have one), the Vikings should jump at the opportunity. -- Courtney Cronin

NFC SOUTH

Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons' first draft pick will be a quarterback.

Matt Ryan is 36. Although he's still playing at a high level and has several more productive years ahead of him, it's time to start preparing for the future. New GM Terry Fontenot and coach Arthur Smith have the fourth overall pick; if the Jets pass on a QB at No. 2, they'll snag Justin Fields and let him learn for a year or so under Ryan. -- Michael DiRocco


Carolina Panthers

The Panthers will find a way to trade for Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson.

He wants out of Houston even though the organization insists he won't be traded. The Panthers will do whatever it takes, even if that means offering three first-round picks and possibly a star player, although including Christian McCaffrey seems unlikely. But as ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper said, it would be worth throwing in McCaffrey if necessary to get a franchise quarterback. -- David Newton


New Orleans Saints

Jameis Winston will win the Saints' starting quarterback job -- and go on to win his first playoff game.

Sean Payton has made no secret about the Saints' desire to re-sign Winston and allow him to compete with Taysom Hill for the starting job after Drew Brees retires. And there is obviously still a ton of potential there with Winston, who just turned 27, if they can cure his turnover issues. It doesn't hurt that New Orleans still has one of the NFL's deepest and most talented rosters. -- Mike Triplett

play
1:17

What moves do the Bucs need to make this offseason?

Dan Graziano sees the Buccaneers extending Tom Brady's contract in order to land other free agents.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Multiple high-priced Bucs players will restructure their existing contracts to keep as much of the team together as possible.

Mike Evans, Ali Marpet, Donovan Smith and Ryan Jensen are among the six highest-paid players on the team under contract in 2021 and are candidates to restructure. At this point, anyone can be a restructuring candidate, although the amount of work they'll have to do won't be known until the new salary cap comes out. -- Jenna Laine

NFC WEST

Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals will not re-sign cornerback Patrick Peterson.

That means they'll have to rebuild a key part of their secondary. Peterson, who'll be 31 when next season starts, wants another big deal, but the Cardinals are unlikely to give him the type of money he's seeking. By not re-signing, Peterson will hit free agency and the open market for the first time in his career. Without Peterson, the Cardinals will have to find his replacement, which is easier said than done since he was an elite corner -- and one of the best in the league for a few years. -- Josh Weinfuss


Los Angeles Rams

The Rams, despite a lack of cap space and draft capital, will piece together the means to bring in a speedy receiver.

They need one who can stretch the field for new quarterback Matthew Stafford. This was next in line after the boldest possible prediction has already come to fruition, when the Rams moved on two weeks after the season from franchise quarterback Jared Goff, sending him -- along with two first-round picks and a third-round pick -- to the Lions in exchange for Stafford. -- Lindsey Thiry


San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers will draft a quarterback some time in the first three rounds to push and provide depth behind ... Jimmy Garoppolo.

With the 12th pick, the easiest path would be for one of the top four signal-callers to fall to the Niners, but if that doesn't happen, they could be in striking distance for a trade up or they could target someone else by moving back from 12 or up from one of their other spots. Regardless, the Niners need to find someone with long-term upside who can push Garoppolo and be capable of stepping in should Garoppolo continue to struggle with injuries. -- Nick Wagoner


Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks will either make Jamal Adams the NFL's highest-paid safety or trade him.

The most likely outcome is Seattle keeping Adams long term on an extension that tops Budda Baker's $14.75 million average, but how much more than that will he insist on making? Adams will presumably want to be paid more like a pass-rusher than a safety after setting the league's single-season sack record for a defensive back. When the Seahawks acquired Adams last summer and put off extension talks until this offseason, they figured that if they couldn't get a deal done, they could trade him as a last resort. -- Brady Henderson

Wiz to rest top scorer Beal; 1st time this season

Published in Basketball
Thursday, 11 February 2021 16:30

WASHINGTON -- NBA scoring leader Bradley Beal will be held out of a game for rest for the first time this season, sitting out Washington's matchup with the New York Knicks on Friday.

Beal is averaging 32.8 points and 35.3 minutes per game for Washington (6-16), which is among the league's worst teams. The Wizards' ongoing struggles have fueled persistent rumors that Beal will be traded.

The only previous game Beal missed this season was a loss to the Miami Heat on Jan. 9 because of the league's COVID-19 protocols.

Washington's other starting guard, Russell Westbrook -- who was acquired in a trade with Houston before the season -- has missed seven games this season for rest or because of injury.

AD practices, says he's being careful with Achilles

Published in Basketball
Thursday, 11 February 2021 16:30

LOS ANGELES -- Ever since Anthony Davis was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, the big man has adopted a two-pronged approach to revamping his image: earn a reputation as a winner and shed his reputation of being injury-prone.

Davis accomplished that last year, capping a season in which he pushed through physical pain to capture the first NBA championship of his career.

He's learning in his second season with the Lakers that sometimes allowing yourself time to address an injury is the best thing you can do to achieve long-term success.

Such was the case for the seven-time All-Star this week, as Davis sat out the Lakers' last two games because of tendonosis in his right Achilles tendon.

"I think every other game ... I've wanted to play in. This is just a different circumstance with it being an Achilles. If it was a quad or finger, anything like that, I wouldn't mind playing," Davis said Thursday, speaking to reporters for the first time since the injury was revealed on Sunday.

"But I just don't really want to play around with an Achilles. Today was the first day we were able to practice, get some run-in with some guys to really test it out.

"I just don't want to play a game where I still feel it and then get hurt and now I'm out for the playoffs or whatever or for multiple weeks, where it's something I can't control and maintain right now where you miss two games or three games early on in the season or midseason and be ready to go for the rest of the season."

The Lakers kept their win streak going without him, beating the Oklahoma City Thunder twice -- but needing to come back from early deficits and go into overtime in both games to do so.

While the six-game streak brought the Lakers' overall record to 20-6 -- giving them the second-best record in the league, just a half-game back of the Utah Jazz -- coach Frank Vogel scheduled a rare practice on Thursday to get Davis some work and sharpen the group.

"We try to have a day where we can have a light load on their legs but still be productive and improve on our execution," Vogel said. "The message to the team was, 'Good enough, but not good enough.' Right? We're good enough to win these games, but by our standards, we're not playing good enough. So we got some light work in [Thursday] to hopefully improve that execution while trying to keep them fresh."

Davis said he had been experiencing soreness around his right calf muscle for "a couple of weeks" and underwent an ultrasound that confirmed the tendonosis diagnosis.

"Continued to be really sore. Pushing off. Even walking, obviously running, jumping, anything like that, I would feel it," Davis said. "So it's more so just soreness and just letting it calm down."

The Lakers on Friday host the Memphis Grizzlies, another young team, like the Thunder, hovering around .500 that can put a stamp on its season by knocking off the champs.

Davis said he would see how his body responds to Thursday's practice and determine his playing status closer to game time.

"We just did some drill work, no-contact drill work, which he did all of. He seemed fine," Vogel said. "We'll see how he feels tomorrow before making any decisions on the game."

Hawks' Young fined $20K for protesting no-call

Published in Basketball
Thursday, 11 February 2021 16:30

Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young has been fined $20,000 for "directing inappropriate language toward a game official," the NBA announced Thursday.

The incident occurred on the final possession of the Hawks' 118-117 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday at American Airlines Center.

Young had been knocked to the floor while setting a screen on Dallas center Willie Cauley-Stein before the inbounds pass with 4.7 seconds remaining, preventing him from getting the ball as the play was designed.

After Danilo Gallinari's difficult buzzer-beater attempt clanked off the rim, Young ripped out his mouthpiece and stomped toward referee Josh Tiven to protest the critical no-call.

Tiven, the crew chief, told a pool reporter after the game that the contact from Cauley-Stein was "deemed incidental," so he didn't blow his whistle. Tiven said that the officiating crew came to the same conclusion after reviewing video of the play postgame.

The NBA said Thursday that "the play that Young disputed was correctly ruled a no-call."

"Under the playing rules, Dallas' Willie Cauley-Stein was entitled to a normal step on a screen from behind, which he took, and which led to incidental and legal contact between Cauley-Stein and Young," the league said.

Young had 25 points and 15 assists in the loss.

"I'm not going to run away from the ball with four seconds left and we're trying to win the game," he said. "I'm not going to fall just to fall at the end. That's just the most frustrating part. Not really having an opportunity to make a play at the end is just really frustrating."

Rockies, 1B Bird agree to minor league deal

Published in Baseball
Thursday, 11 February 2021 13:49

DENVER -- The Colorado Rockies agreed to a minor league contract with first baseman Greg Bird that includes and invite to major league spring training.

The 28-year-old didn't appear in the majors in 2020 after signing with the Texas Rangers last offseason.

Bird was a fifth-round pick by the New York Yankees in the 2011 amateur draft. He hit .211 with 32 homers and 98 RBIs over four seasons in New York.

This could be a homecoming of sorts for Bird. He went to Grandview High School in Aurora, Colorado, which is located about 25 miles from Coors Field. He's never taken an official plate appearance at the hitter-friendly park in his major league career.

7 Negro Leagues recommended for majors status

Published in Baseball
Thursday, 11 February 2021 14:43

NEW YORK -- Seven Negro Leagues have been recommended for major league status by a task force of the Society for American Baseball Research.

The announcement Thursday followed Major League Baseball's decision on Dec. 16 that it was reclassifying the Negro Leagues to majors. They had been excluded in 1969 when a special committee on baseball records identified six official major leagues dating to 1876.

SABR recommended big league status for the Negro National League I (1920-31), Negro National League II (1933-48), Negro American League (1937-48), Eastern Colored League (1923-28), American Negro League (1929), East-West League (1932) and Negro Southern League (1932).

MLB and its statistician, the Elias Sports Bureau, have started a review process.

Willie Mays could be credited with 17 hits from his 1948 season with the Birmingham Black Barons. Monte Irvin could see his career average climb from .293 to .304 if numbers listed at Baseball Reference from his nine Negro League seasons are accurate.

Satchel Paige, currently credited with 28 major league wins, could add at least 146 to his total. Josh Gibson's .441 batting average in 1943 would be the best season mark ever, edging Hugh Duffy's .440 from 1894. Gibson's average came in fewer than 80 games, however, far short of the modern standard of 162.

The Negro Leagues began to dissolve one year after Jackie Robinson broke MLB's color barrier with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947.

SABR said its criteria were "a league of high quality, containing a large number of the best available baseball players, with a defined set of teams and a defined roster of players. Teams should have played a set schedule, with the league maintaining standings and records, some of which may no longer be available."

SABR's task force will continue to study other teams and leagues from the sport's segregated era, which includes pre-1920 and post-1948, and top independent Black teams of the 1930s.

The task force included SABR board president Mark Armour, Gary Ashwill, Cliff Blau, Scott Bush, Bill Carle, Sean Forman, Gary Gillette, Leslie Heaphy, Ted Knorr, Sean Lahman, Larry Lester, Trent McCotter, Todd Peterson, Jacob Pomrenke, Anthony Salazar, Cecilia Tan and Tom Thress.

Wendy's is becoming almost as well-known for its Twitter barbs as its hamburgers these days, and the fast-food chain landed a sharp jab on the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday, referencing the controversial move by manager Kevin Cash in pulling starter Blake Snell in Game 6 of the 2020 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers -- much to the delight of Snell himself.

Wendy's invited its Twitter followers to take a seat on its virtual dunk tank to be insulted on social media. The Rays, unfortunately for them, took the bait, and Wendy's hit 'em where it hurts.

The reference is to Game 6 of the World Series, when Snell was cruising along in the sixth inning, holding a 1-0 lead while allowing just two hits with no walks and nine strikeouts, only be pulled by Cash. Just six pitches later, the Dodgers had a lead they wouldn't relinquish as reliever Nick Anderson gave up a double to Mookie Betts, then allowed the tying run to score on a wild pitch and the go-ahead run home on a fielder's choice.

The Dodgers closed out the game, 3-1, to win the World Series.

Snell was traded to the San Diego Padres this offseason, helping him laugh off the Wendy's zinger at his former team.

Maybe an extra-large Frosty will ease the Rays' burn.

Andy Murray reaches last eight at ATP Challenger in Biella

Published in Tennis
Thursday, 11 February 2021 13:04

Andy Murray continued his progress at the ATP Challenger in Biella, Italy, with a 6-4 6-4 win over home player Gian Marco Moroni.

The Scot, 33, ruled out of the Australian Open after a positive Covid test, broke twice in the first set but needed two attempts to serve it out.

Murray then converted the third of 12 break points against the world 234 in the ninth game of the second set.

He will meet Blaz Rola of Slovenia in Friday's quarter-finals.

At 159 in the world, the 30-year-old Slovenian is ranked just 14 places below the three-time Grand Slam champion, who has not played competitively since October and managed just seven tour level matches in 2020.

Rola has met Murray once before, winning just two games in a second round match at Wimbledon in 2014.

Murray showed signs of promise with wins over Dan Evans and Cameron Norrie in December's Battle of the Brits event.

However, the former world number one was unable to find a "workable quarantine" as he was ruled out of the year's first Grand Slam, though he was permitted to play in the second tier event in Italy after a quarantine waiver was agreed for players travelling from outside the European Union.

PHOTOS: John Blewett III Memorial 76

Published in Racing
Thursday, 11 February 2021 12:00

Soccer

Netherlands legend Johan Neeskens dies at 73

Netherlands legend Johan Neeskens dies at 73

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsJohan Neeskens, one of the midfield stars of the Netherlands' "Cloc...

Man City, Prem both claim win in APT legal case

Man City, Prem both claim win in APT legal case

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsManchester City and the Premier League both claimed victory on Mond...

Sources: Ten Hag hopeful of stay as bosses meet

Sources: Ten Hag hopeful of stay as bosses meet

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsErik ten Hag's future as Manchester United manager remains in the b...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

NBA history! Breaking down the first LeBron-Bronny game and what's next for the Lakers

NBA history! Breaking down the first LeBron-Bronny game and what's next for the Lakers

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe Los Angeles Lakers lost to Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns on...

LeBron and Bronny James share court together, topping list of NBA father-son duos

LeBron and Bronny James share court together, topping list of NBA father-son duos

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsSome of the NBA's greatest talents were raised not too far from the...

Baseball

'If you don't win, what's the point?' Yankees' Aaron Judge seeks October redemption

'If you don't win, what's the point?' Yankees' Aaron Judge seeks October redemption

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- It's been 11 years since the New York Yankees drafted A...

Dodgers' Freeman exits Game 2, is day-to-day

Dodgers' Freeman exits Game 2, is day-to-day

EmailPrintLOS ANGELES -- Freddie Freeman exited Game 2 of the National League Division Series after...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated