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Cooper Flagg looking on

Former NBA champion has a low opinion of Cooper Flagg

May 24, 2025 by Grey Papke
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Many evaluators view Cooper Flagg as a generational talent capable of turning around an NBA franchise. That feeling is not universal, though.

Former Boston Celtics wing Tony Allen, regarded as one of the top defenders of his era, has major doubts about Flagg at the next level. In an appearance on GrindCityMedia’s YouTube channel, Allen said he does not view Flagg as a franchise-changing player, and predicted the Duke star would not win Rookie of the Year in 2026.

“I don’t think Cooper Flagg’s going to turn a franchise around like that,” Allen said. “I ain’t seeing KD. I’m just not seeing all that. I’m seeing Andrei Kirilenko.

“He’s going to be a one-time All-Star. I don’t see it, bro. I’m just not hyped on these Duke kids. He is nice, but his max-out potential is Andrei Kirilenko.”

Kirilenko made an All-Star team and three All-Defensive teams with the Utah Jazz, and had a very solid career. People are definitely expecting more than that out of Flagg, though. There is a reason people were so animated when the Dallas Mavericks surprisingly won the lottery for the right to select him.

Allen is not afraid to air some controversial opinions, but this one is certainly well out of step with the mainstream. After all, not many players have looked the part taking on Team USA in a scrimmage at age 17.

Flagg averaged 19.2 points and 7.5 rebounds per game during his only season at Duke. He certainly has the look of a future star at the next level.

H/T CBS Sports

BasketballCooper FlaggTony Allen
A Colorado Rockies hat

Rockies fan calls out team’s struggles in foul ball injury lawsuit

May 24, 2025 by Grey Papke
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The Colorado Rockies have been blasted by a fan who alleged that the team’s poor play on the field contributed to a serious injury he suffered at a game.

Timothy Roeckel is suing the Rockies claiming he was struck in the face by a foul ball during a July 2023 game at Coors Field, via Jennifer McRae of CBS News Colorado. Roeckel said he was attending the game in a luxury suite, and that it was not possible for him to see the foul ball coming from where he was sitting. Allegedly, the foul ball caused “catastrophic and permanent injuries” after striking him in the right eye and face.

The lawsuit claims the Rockies failed to take necessary safety precautions by not extending protective netting far enough, as well as the design of the luxury boxes. Most notably, however, the suit argues that the team’s “longstanding poor performance on the field have contributed to a game-day environment in which spectators, particularly those in luxury suites, are less engaged with the action on the field.”

Some of the lawsuit’s claims will draw skepticism, such as the idea that the Rockies are responsible for encouraging fans to socialize instead of paying attention to the game. Many Rockies fans, however, will probably sympathize with the fan for calling out the team’s struggles like this.

The Rockies have not had a winning season since 2018, and have lost over 100 games in back-to-back seasons. They look to be well on their way toward that mark again in 2025, and this might be their worst season yet.

Ultimately, the Rockies may or may not be responsible for how much attention fans pay to the game when visiting Coors Field. There are certainly some elements of their ballpark operation that could do with some work, though.

BaseballFeatured StoriesLegal MattersColorado RockiesColorado Rockies fans
Brittney Griner yelling at referees

Brittney Griner interrupts halftime interview to confront officials

May 24, 2025 by Grey Papke
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Brittney Griner was not happy with the officiating during Saturday’s game between the Atlanta Dream and Dallas Wings, and she wanted to make sure the referee knew about it.

At the start of her halftime interview with CBS Sports, Griner turned away and went to confront the officials over what she seemingly saw as holding against her that was going uncalled.

“You know I call all my fouls,” Griner could be heard saying. “Be f—ing better.”

Brittney Griner had an animated discussion with the ref during the interview. 👀

(h/t @ohnohedidnt24)

pic.twitter.com/tLxHsOInEw

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) May 24, 2025

Griner did seem to realize she had been overheard on television, as she quickly stopped and apologized before heading to the locker room.

Griner apology:pic.twitter.com/7wtH1GI5T1

— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) May 24, 2025

Griner and the Dream did go on to win the game 83-75. She contributed 15 points and 8 rebounds in the winning effort.

Officiating has not been Griner’s friend this week. Regardless of her feelings, it is probably not ideal for her commentary to be caught on live television, and she knew it, too.

BasketballBrittney Griner
Mikko Rantanen playing for the Stars

Dallas Stars showcase ‘Finnish Mafia’ starting lineup

May 24, 2025 by Grey Papke
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The Dallas Stars made some history Friday night in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals with their choice of starting lineup.

The Stars started the game with their “Finnish Mafia” all on the ice together. Mikael Granlund, Roope Hintz, and Mikko Rantanen were grouped together on the forward line, while Esa Lindell and Miro Heiskanen formed the defensive pairing.

This marked the first time since the NHL started tracking starters that five Finnish players started a game together for the same team.

For the first time since the @NHL began tracking starters, all 🖐️ starting skaters are Finnish 🇫🇮 pic.twitter.com/pcxCjccoQq

— X – Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) May 24, 2025

The Finnish Mafia has become hugely popular in Dallas. It was completed when the Stars added Rantanen at the trade deadline, enabling them to use such a unit. He has become the star attraction for the team, including nine playoff goals in 15 games.

The Stars were only recently able to pair the five players together. Heiskanen had been out since late January with an injury, but returned to the lineup for Dallas in their second-round series against the Winnipeg Jets. Dallas won that series in six games.

The move did not pay off for the Stars on Friday, as they lost 3-0 to the Edmonton Oilers to even the series at 1.

HockeyDallas StarsNHL Playoffs 2025
Paul Pierce smiling

Paul Pierce cruelly trolls Knicks fans after Game 2 loss to Pacers

May 24, 2025 by Darryn Albert
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Paul Pierce is thoroughly enjoying his hate-watch of the Eastern Conference Finals.

The New York Knicks lost in Game 2 of their ECF series against the Indiana Pacers on Friday night by the final score of 114-109. The Pacers now hold a 2-0 series lead after taking both games on the Knicks’ home floor at Madison Square Garden in New York, N.Y.

Fans of the Knicks were in complete shambles following the loss in Game 1. The retired Boston Celtics legend Pierce also decided to rub some salt in their wounds by clowning around on his Instagram Story after the game.

Pierce posted a video of himself laughing hysterically at the Knicks and their fans. “I told y’all, dawg,” he said. “Y’all delusional. Y’all so delusional. Maybe next year. Or maybe never.”

You can see the full clip of Pierce below.

Paul Pierce trolling New York Knicks fans after losing the first two games at home vs. Indiana:

“I told y’all, dawg! Y’all so delusional! Maybe next year… or, maybe never…”

Thoughts?

Via. @paulpierce34 pic.twitter.com/ekkhKeCawf

— Courtside Buzz (@CourtsideBuzzX) May 24, 2025

Pierce, who was Atlantic Division rivals with the Knicks for almost his entire NBA career, was deep in his feelings after the Knicks eliminated his beloved Celtics during the second round of this year’s playoffs. He heard plenty of arrogrant comments from New York fans in the wake of that series, which led to Pierce making some very salty comments over social media.

But now, Pierce is getting to dine on the other end of the table. While the Knicks still have a bit of life in the Eastern Conference Finals, it looks bleak for them now that they are going on the road trailing 0-2 to the Pacers. As such, Pierce is more than happy to point and laugh at the Knicks and their fans right now.

BasketballKnicks fansNBA Playoffs 2025Paul Pierce
Charles Oakley looking ahead

Knicks reportedly would welcome Charles Oakley back on key condition

May 24, 2025 by Grey Papke
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The New York Knicks and former player Charles Oakley have been on bad terms with each other for eight years stemming from an incident at Madison Square Garden. A new report suggests that the Knicks are willing to put the situation behind them on one condition.

The Knicks would welcome Oakley back as a celebrated Knicks alumnus if he drops his ongoing lawsuit against owner James Dolan and Madison Square Garden, according to Jared Schwartz of the New York Post. If Oakley did so, he would be welcomed back at games and team events as a celebrated ex-player.

Oakley was initially banned from Madison Square Garden over the February 2017 incident, in which Oakley was escorted from the arena after getting into a confrontation with arena security. That ban has since been lifted, but Oakley can only attend games by buying a ticket and attending as a regular fan.

Many former Knicks are often spotlighted attending games, often sitting near Dolan. Oakley has not been extended that courtesy since the 2017 incident. The 61-year-old spent ten seasons with the franchise and was the team’s starting center in 1994 when they reached the NBA Finals.

Oakley continues to pursue litigation against Dolan and Madison Square Garden in the form of assault and battery claims. He has maintained he wants an apology from Dolan, which evidently has not come.

Considering the state the Knicks are in during the Eastern Conference Finals, Oakley might not have a chance to see the team again this season even if he wanted to.

BasketballCharles OakleyNew York Knicks
Caitlin Clark yelling at a referee

Caitlin Clark has profane 5-word message for referee after crucial no-call

May 24, 2025 by Darryn Albert
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Caitlin Clark was not a happy customer at the end of Saturday’s game against the New York Liberty.

Clark and the Indiana Fever lost a thriller to the Liberty, falling by the final score of 90-88 on their home floor at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind. The superstar guard Clark had an opportunity to tie (or win) the game in the final seconds as Indiana had possession on the sideline with 2.9 seconds left.

Clark received the inbounds pass and was immediately pestered by Liberty guard Natasha Cloud. As Clark was dribbling, Clark lost control of the ball thanks to Cloud’s physical defense, and time expired.

An irate Clark could not believe that there was no foul call on the play. The television broadcast caught Clark going up to the referee with a profane five-word message.

“Are you f–king kidding me?” Clark told the ref. Here is the video of the play.

Cloud locks up Clark on the final play pic.twitter.com/0b6Wqdjxfp

— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) May 24, 2025

Even if Clark wasn’t deemed to be in the act of shooting there, the Fever were in the bonus at the time. Thus, any whistle would have given Clark two free throws and the chance to tie the game from the line.

Clark had a solid individual line with 18 points, five rebounds, and 10 assists. But she shot just 6/19 from the field, including 2/12 from the three-point line. Cloud, who finished with an excellent 16-7-6-5-3 line herself, defended Clark for much of the game, so there was definitely some build-up before that final sequence.

The loss to the defending WNBA champion Liberty dropped the Fever to 2-2 on the fledgling season. Clark has had plenty of frustrating moments in the early going too as opponents keep on trying to get under her skin.

BasketballFeatured StoriesCaitlin Clark
Red Sox fan dumping milk on himself

Red Sox fan shows off wild Indianapolis 500-themed home run celebration

May 24, 2025 by Grey Papke
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One Boston Red Sox fan is very excited for Monday’s Indianapolis 500. So excited, in fact, that he broke out a very appropriate celebration after the team hit a home run in the first inning of Saturday’s game.

Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran led off the bottom of the first inning with a home run during Saturday’s game against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park in Boston, Ma. In response, the fan, wearing an Indianapolis 500 T-shirt, proceeded to open up a bottle of milk and dump it on himself.

What was that?! 😂

A guy just poured milk on himself after Jarren Duran's home run🥛 pic.twitter.com/qWOpmsRy1S

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) May 24, 2025

For the unaware, the winner of each year’s Indianapolis 500 famously celebrates by drinking milk. Some choose instead to just dump it on themselves, as this fan did.

Excitement? Insanity? Stealth promotion for FOX’s Indianapolis 500 coverage? Perhaps it was all of the above, but it made for a very strange and unusual moment.

The 2025 edition of the Indianapolis 500 is scheduled to begin on Monday at 12:45 p.m. Robert Shwartzman will start in the pole position, while back-to-back defending champion Josef Newgarden will have to start from the back of the field due to illegal car modifications.

Auto RacingBaseballBoston Red Sox fans
LeBron James looks on

LeBron James brags over social media about his latest achievement

May 24, 2025 by Darryn Albert
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LeBron James definitely is not one to sell himself short.

On Friday, the NBA officially announced the three All-NBA teams for this season, as voted on by a panel of media members. The Los Angeles Lakers star James was one of the honorees, making All-NBA Second Team. It was the 21nd All-NBA selection of the 40-year-old James’ career, extending his all-time league record.

James took to X on Friday night in order to brag about his achievement.

“ALL NBA at 40!!” James wrote. “Low key crazy to me right now! Sitting here watching the playoffs just thinking about it. Blessed beyond I can even imagine.”

ALL NBA at 40!! Low key crazy to me right now! Sitting here watching the playoffs just thinking about it. Blessed beyond I can even imagine.

— LeBron James (@KingJames) May 24, 2025

James, who averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game over 70 appearances this season, certainly deserves a lot of credit. He has now made All-NBA in every single season since 2004-05 (his sophomore year) and is the only player to do so at age 40 or older. James also blows the competition out of the water when it comes to all-time All-NBA count as the next closest players to his 21 career selections are Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kobe Bryant, and Tim Duncan (all three of whom had 15).

The four-time NBA champion James is more than happy to give himself the credit too. He has a long history of tooting the horn of his own greatness, and that continued this week with his latest post to social media.

BasketballLeBron James
Ronald Acuna jr looks on

Ronald Acuña Jr. shows up at first game wearing questionable bag

May 24, 2025 by Grey Papke
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Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. is back in action for the first time since suffering a torn ACL, and he made something of a fashion statement as he did so.

Acuña arrived at Truist Field on Friday carrying a pink bag with him. MLB highlighted the look on their official X account.

Ronald Acuña Jr. has arrived at Truist Park for his return to the Braves tonight 👀 pic.twitter.com/y1mbdVvbFy

— MLB (@MLB) May 23, 2025

Reaction to the choice was decidedly mixed. Some fans approved of the look, while others questioned the color of the bag, or outright referred to it as a purse.

Ultimately, Acuña hit a home run on his very first pitch back in the big leagues. Braves fans will likely say that he can carry whatever bag he wants as long as he produces like that. It certainly beats making headlines for social media posts in which he shades his manager.

Acuña has not had a fully healthy season since 2023, when he hit .337 with 41 home runs and 73 stolen bases on his way to NL MVP honors. The Braves could use production similar to that, as they have had a poor start to the season and sit at 24-26 entering play Saturday.

Football
Shedeur Sanders in camp with the Browns

Shedeur Sanders has theory for why he has so many critics

May 24, 2025 by Grey Papke
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Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders thinks he knows why so many people are rooting for him to fail.

Sanders has been criticized for some of his conduct leading up to the NFL Draft, but the rookie does not think that is necessarily because of anything he has done. Instead, he thinks many people’s opinions of him are shaped by how they feel about his father Deion.

“They don’t care about other people’s opinion of you,” Sanders said of his critics, via Jimmy Watkins of cleveland.com. “They go based off their own. 99% of hatred (directed at me) is toward Pops. And then I’m just his son.

“It’s just the older generation that does it to me rather than the younger people. Because when I come in person, there’s no negativity I see. But it’s all over online.”

Sanders definitely made some pre-draft missteps, and some of his meetings reportedly did not go well. It is certainly possible, if not likely, that his association with his father hurt him more than it helped him. Shedeur coming off as entitled in those meetings, however, was his own miscalculation.

Sanders himself has taken the right attitude since falling to the fifth round of the NFL Draft. He knows he has a great deal to prove. His inner circle has not been completely helpful, but the Browns do not appear to have any complaints about his attitude so far.

FootballShedeur Sanders
Brittney Griner talking about Caitlin Clark

Brittney Griner appears to make racist comment about Caitlin Clark

May 24, 2025 by Grey Papke
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Atlanta Dream center Brittney Griner appeared to make a racist comment about Caitlin Clark on Thursday after fouling out of her game against the Indiana Fever.

Griner was frustrated late in Thursday’s 81-76 Fever win at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Ga. after fouling out. Her fifth foul was an offensive foul for an elbow on Clark, who was accused of flopping to successfully sell the call.

Caitlin Clark with a monumental flop against Brittney Griner. #Indianafever #AtlantaDream #wnba pic.twitter.com/oIwntRWv7G

— Xʜᴀɴᵗᵃʸ✨️💚 (@thereal_chantay) May 23, 2025

After Griner went to the bench, she appeared to vent some frustration over the call. Lip-readers thought she referred to Clark as “trash” and “f—ing white girl.”

Brittney Griner seemingly calling Caitlin Clark “trash” and a “f—ing white girl.” after fouling out
pic.twitter.com/GQqUfMBqPf

— OutKick (@Outkick) May 24, 2025

Griner contributed 5 points and 7 rebounds in the loss, and was limited to 25 minutes due to foul trouble. Clark was held to 11 points, but added 6 assists and 4 rebounds.

Clark keeps finding herself embroiled in controversy, whether she intends to or not. She got into a spat with Dream guard Rhyne Howard during the same game, and last week’s confrontation with Angel Reese also became a big story.

BasketballFeatured StoriesBrittney GrinerCaitlin Clark
Ryan Clark in a blue suit

Ryan Clark issues apology to Robert Griffin III

May 24, 2025 by Grey Papke
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ESPN analyst Ryan Clark on Friday issued an apology to Robert Griffin III and his wife, Grete, for some of his recent comments.

In Monday’s episode of his “The Pivot” podcast, Clark apologized for bringing Griffin’s family into his response to Griffin’s recent comments about Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. While Clark did not necessarily back off his comments about Griffin’s take, he did say he regretted invoking Grete by saying Griffin could not identify with what black women like Reese dealt with because he had only “been married to white women.”

“Because of the personal feelings I have about RGIII, I took a take that was personal to another person and make it personal to myself, and I shouldn’t have done that,” Clark said. “I shouldn’t have brought his wife into an equation, even though in my mind, before speaking about her, I processed as much as I possibly could to speak of her in a way that was positive, trying to make sure it only illustrated a point about the way that he approached Angel Reese. And in that, in some ways, and to some people, I probably missed the mark.”

Clark added that he let some of his negative feelings toward Griffin influence his comments, and that his efforts to defend Reese turned into an unintentional attack on Griffin.

“To Grete, I was out of line. I was out of bounds. I apologize. To all of the people that don’t like RG’s take, or takes, or the way that he moves, or even if you just, in this conversation, take my side and want to support me, leave his family alone,” Clark said. “Families should be off-limits. I started that by bringing her into it. I see that now. No matter what my intent was, the impact was different. If I had to do it all over again, I would do it a different way.”

Clark and Griffin played together with Washington in 2014, and worked together on ESPN’s “Monday Night Countdown.” There are evidently some negative feelings between the two on a personal level, which Clark admits he let impact his take.

As of Saturday, Griffin had yet to issue a public response to Clark’s apology. He did make one cryptic post on X Saturday morning, writing that “God removes people from your life for a reason.”

Some of Clark’s fellow ESPN employees reportedly wanted to see him suspended over his response to Griffin. It was also pointed out that, despite his comments about Grete Griffin’s race, Clark has a child with a white woman himself.

The entire back-and-forth stemmed from Griffin’s take on last Saturday’s confrontation between Caitlin Clark and Reese, which both of them downplayed. The Griffin-Ryan Clark dispute wound up becoming the bigger story.

FootballHeadlinesMediaRobert Griffin IIIRyan Clark
Ronald Acuna Jr in a red Braves uniform

Ronald Acuña Jr. returns from torn ACL, homers on first pitch

May 24, 2025 by Dan Benton
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Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. returned on Friday night, nearly one year removed from suffering a torn ACL, and he didn’t appear to miss a beat.

On the first pitch from San Diego Padres starter Nick Pivetta, Acuña, batting in his customary leadoff spot, turned around a four-seam fastball, sending it 467 feet to center with an exit velocity of 115.5 MPH, which is the hardest hit ball by a Brave this season.

RONALD ACUÑA JR. FIRST PITCH BACK IS A HOME RUN pic.twitter.com/WMqUpxFPWz

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) May 23, 2025

“I had a feeling,” Acuña said of his dramatic homer, via ESPN. “To me, that’s just the culmination of all the work I put in.”

Acuña singled in his next at-bat, finishing the day with two hits, one run, and one RBI in four plate appearances. He also shined on defense, throwing out Elias Díaz at second base in the eighth inning.

“He’s one of those players that you better not go get a beer or whatever because you might miss something really cool, you know?” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “I mean, he’s that type of force, I think, in the game. I think he’s going to energize everybody. Going to energize the fans. Going to energize his teammates.”

Acuña, 27, suffered a torn ACL in his left knee nearly one year to the day of his return, on May 26, 2024. He underwent a successful surgery on June 6 and appeared in just six rehab games before returning to the Braves lineup.

“It’s huge,” third baseman Austin Riley said. “The talent is there. The energy he brings, having Ronald up there at the top of the lineup. … He can change a game at any point.”

The 2023 NL MVP has torn the ACL in both his left and right knee, with the previous injury coming in 2021. However, if Friday is any indication, Acuña appears healthy and ready to contribute to a Braves team in need of a spark.

BaseballAtlanta BravesRonald Acuna
Max Muncy in a helmet

Max Muncy called for controversial infraction rarely seen in baseball

May 24, 2025 by Dan Benton
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One of the joys of watching Major League Baseball is that you’re likely to see something you’ve never seen before on any given day. That’s precisely what happened on Friday night during a game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets, much to the dismay of Max Muncy.

The bottom of the fourth inning had already started poorly for Muncy, who allowed Mets designated hitter Starling Marte to reach second on a throwing error following a bunt single, but things got much worse from there.

Two batters later, with Marte on third after a Juan Soto ground out, Pete Alonzo sent a towering fly ball to right field. Teoscar Hernandez fielded it cleanly for the out and then fired a rocket to home, beating Marte for the double play.

However, the home plate umpire’s punchout was overruled by third base umpire Tripp Gibson, who cited an obscure rule that precious few have ever seen called before.

Gibson argued Muncy had violated MLB Rule 6.01(h)(2), which states “if no play is being made on the obstructed runner, the play shall proceed until no further action is possible. The umpire shall then call ‘Time’ and impose such penalties, if any, as in his judgment will nullify the act of obstruction.”

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said he had never previously seen that called in his three-decade career, but Muncy claims he was aware of it although he, too, had never seen it implemented.

“The way you explain it is, if the ball gets cut from the first baseman, you have to be there to make a play. And [Gibson] felt that I wasn’t far enough away,” Muncy said after the game, via MLB.com. “He felt that I was purposely doing it, and he felt that I made a conscious effort to stand in the way. Every third baseman in the league does that. Never seen it called, and it was actually called twice tonight.”

Although the Mets clawed back and sent the game into extras following a three-run ninth inning, Max Muncy’s pair of blunders will become nothing more than a footnote as the Dodgers ultimately survived, 7-5, in 13 innings.

BaseballLos Angeles DodgersMax MuncyNew York Mets

Embarrassing baserunning blunder costs Braves in stunning loss

May 24, 2025 by Dan Benton
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Atlanta Braves outfielder Eli White would love nothing more than to find a place to hide for a few days, and justifiably so.

Following an Alex Verdugo single in the bottom of the ninth inning on Friday night, the Braves, trailing the San Diego Padres, 2-1, sent White in to pinch run. A Sean Murphy bunt quickly positioned him at second base as the tying run.

All was going according to plan until Ozzie Albies singled to center.

Ideally, that’s exactly what the Braves would want to happen. But White misread the ball and instead of turning the corner at third and potentially setting up a play at the plate, he inexplicably turned around and headed back to second base.

White apparently thought Padres centerfielder Jackson Merrill had caught the ball, but he fielded it after a hop. The relay throw was cut off and White was embarrassingly gunned down at second.

Eli White thought Jackson Merrill caught the ball and then gets thrown out at 2nd base!😬😬 pic.twitter.com/O8j0ZqS2nx

— Baseball’s Office (@baseballsoffice) May 24, 2025

Video of the play from a different angle shows Braves third base coach Matt Tuiasosopo calling for White to hold at third and then reacting with stunned shock as he headed back to second.

The next batter, Michael Harris II, grounded into a fielder’s choice to end the game.

“It’s just a terrible mistake in a huge situation,” White said after the loss, via MLB.com. “It’s a tough one to swallow.

“I saw it go over the second baseman’s head, and I thought it was low, which ended up being a good read. I just didn’t trust it for whatever reason. I just got confused.”

That confusion likely cost Atlanta the game and will undoubtedly cement White as a meme for the remainder of the season.

BaseballAtlanta BravesEli White
A Colorado Rockies hat

Rockies security embarrassingly mistakes Phillies player for fan

May 23, 2025 by Renzo Pocholo Salao
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The Colorado Rockies organization continues to make headlines for the wrong reasons.

The Rockies hosted the Philadelphia Phillies this week for a four-game series at Coors Field in Denver, Colo. Thursday’s series finale did not go smoothly for Phillies outfielder Johan Rojas.

Before the game started, Rojas reportedly went into the stands to take a phone call. But as he tried to make his way onto the field to rejoin his team, the security guards at Coors Field mistook him for a fan and would not let him back through. Phillies ace pitcher Zack Wheeler had to talk to security staff to vouch for his teammate.

An all-time moment this morning at Coors Field. Johan Rojas went into the stands to make a phone call. Security guards wouldn’t let Rojas back onto field. They did not believe he was a player. Zack Wheeler had to fetch him. Rockies forever.

— Matt Gelb (@MattGelb) May 22, 2025

Rojas does not have the name or face recognition that his star teammates Wheeler and Bryce Harper have. But the 24-year-old does have over 200 games of MLB experience across three seasons under his belt. Had Wheeler not intervened, one can only imagine the lengths Rojas would have had to go to convince Coors Field security that he was part of the opposing team.

While Rojas did not get an at-bat during the Phillies’ 2-0 win on Thursday, he did take the field as a pinch runner in the top of the 9th inning. Rojas wreaked havoc on the basepaths, swiping second base and getting to third on a throwing error. But he wasn’t shifty enough to avoid getting tagged by Rockies security guards.

The Phillies left Colorado with a four-game sweep of the Rockies, which felt like business as usual amid Colorado’s season from hell.

BaseballColorado RockiesCoors FieldJohan Rojas
Aaron Rodgers on the sideline

Will Howard shares his honest thoughts on Steelers potentially adding Aaron Rodgers

May 23, 2025 by Renzo Pocholo Salao
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Will Howard sounds ready for the Aaron Rodgers experience in Pittsburgh.

Rodgers is largely expected to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the coming weeks. But as things stand, Howard is currently seen as the backup quarterback behind returning veteran Mason Rudolph.

During a recent appearance on “Up and Adams,” Howard was asked about Rodgers potentially pushing him down the depth chart. Howard expressed interest in soaking up wisdom from the 10-time Pro Bowler.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen,” Howard told Kay Adams, via Pro Football Talk’s Charean Williams. “That’s all over my head. But I’d love to be in a room and learn from him. Again, who knows what’s going to happen. I have no idea and that’s above my head.”

Steelers owner Art Rooney II has openly talked about waiting “a little while longer” if it meant that the team would be able to land Rodgers. Rodgers himself has been dropping little hints about eventually signing with the Steelers.

But with Rodgers on retirement watch after each season, Howard will likely get his shot with the Steelers sooner or later. Learning behind Rodgers in the meantime wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world for the Ohio State alum. Just ask Jordan Love.

FootballAaron RodgersPittsburgh SteelersWill Howard
Michael Malone smiling

Michael Malone clears the air after Nuggets fans crucified him for MVP comment

May 23, 2025 by Renzo Pocholo Salao
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Former Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone has gone into damage control mode after drawing the ire of his ex-team’s fan base.

Malone, who has transitioned into an analyst role with ESPN, made waves after Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals when he called Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander “the MVP” after OKC blew out the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Some fans felt like the veteran coach sounded bitter about the Nuggets firing him with three games left in the regular season. Jokic and Gilgeous-Alexander were the top two vote-getters for the NBA MVP award, with SGA besting the Joker by a narrow margin.

Malone addressed the issue Thursday before tipoff of Thunder-Timberwolves Game 2. He clarified that Jokic was still his MVP despite Malone’s unceremonious exit from the team.

“I did vote for Nikola Jokic [for MVP] this year, if I had a vote,” Malone said. “I want to make sure the people of Denver know that. Because I’m getting a lot of heat back home.”

“I did vote for Nikola Jokić (for MVP) this year if I had a vote. I want to make sure the people of Denver know that. Because I’m getting a lot of heat back home.” 😅

– Michael Malone

pic.twitter.com/2Pa1o9FPyG

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 23, 2025

In all fairness to Malone, Gilgeous-Alexander had been considered the favorite to win the award throughout the regular season. Calling SGA “the MVP” during postgame commentary does not automatically equate to Malone forgetting about Jokic — the man who led the Nuggets to a championship two seasons ago.

Despite voter fatigue and a worse regular-season record working against him, Jokic still received 29 of the 100 first-place votes for MVP. Jokic also got Malone’s unofficial vote.

BasketballMichael MaloneNikola JokicShai Gilgeous-Alexander
Knicks fans looking disappointed

Knicks fans in shambles after going down 0-2 to the Pacers

May 23, 2025 by Renzo Pocholo Salao
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New York Knicks fans were not in a good place Friday after watching their team drop the first two games of the Eastern Conference Finals.

The Indiana Pacers withstood every Knicks punch to win Game 2 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, N.Y. The Pacers overcame a 36-point, 11-assist outing from Jalen Brunson to win the road contest 114-109.

The loss puts the Knicks in a historically precarious position. Teams that have gone down 0-2 to start the conference finals are 1-33 to come back and win the series. In the 17 times that the higher-seeded team has dropped their first two home games, they have never gone on to advance.

While the Knicks are very much still alive in the series, the team’s fan base was understandably in poor spirits. Several fans were shown late in the broadcast looking like they had the weight of the world on their shoulders.

Knicks fans are going through it right now 😬

They are currently down 0-2. pic.twitter.com/ojq1a06SQR

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 24, 2025

Hollywood A-lister Timothée Chalamet, who has turned into the unofficial face of Knicks fandom in this postseason run, could not hide disappointment from his courtside seat.

Timothée Chalamet and celeb Knicks fans all disappointed.

Inject this into my veins. pic.twitter.com/ene0FerifC

— JD, J.D. (@JoshDhani) May 24, 2025

Knicks fans were riding high entering the series after breaking a 24-year conference finals drought. The celebrations from the fan base throughout this postseason alone have been legendary.

But with the team two games away from crashing out short of an NBA Finals appearance, the euphoria has died down quite a bit.

BasketballKnicks fansNBA Playoffs 2025New York Knicks

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