Ugh. This is a punch to the gut for SU. The Pistons were wining and dining Beilein last year but he passed at that time or it may been mutual. But now it’s been reported that he is taking a 5-year deal with Cleveland which given their current roster is a total rebuild. It has to be that at his age (which I think is 67 years old), he is tempted to see if his style can fit in the NBA – especially as the style of play has become more up and down the court for many of the better teams.
Is this a good move? Not for SU. Michigan basketball had become my favorite sports viewing activity. I suspect that they will promote someone on the current staff or maybe bring in a recent alumnus who will play the game the same way – at least in the short term. But there is no guarantee long term and they may take on a style that is like most other teams. But he was there a long time and SU is thankful for that. My only hope now is that he might bring in some of his former players to the team – and that would be worth watching for SU.
The Yankees took 2 of 3 in Tampa Bay – very impressive. Gary Sanchez up to 7 errors for the season including a stint on the injured list. He may be going for a historically bad year defensively. I don’t know what the ERAs are of the pitchers when he is behind the plate but you can tell the pitchers prefer throwing to Austin Romine vs. him. But he hits the occasional 450-foot home run so there is that. A classic #7 hitter and he can compete for that spot in the line up with Giancarlo Stanton who has the same all or nothing approach. The big problem for the Yankees, and it’s coming soon, is what to do with Urshela who has no more options. They can’t send him down to the minors. SU says send Andujar down to get his confidence back. He is hitting under .130 now and no doubt feeling pressure from Urshela’s success. Hicks will be back soon which means they will demote someone but some other roster moves are coming. It will be very interesting.
Did you know that Brett Gardner is 1 for 26 with RISP this year? It came out on a recent broadcast. Clint Frazier deserves to play ahead of him – watch out for that once Hicks is back this week.
Finally, Novak Djokovic won the Madrid Open this weekend and is primed now for the French Open. I know SU is one of the 7 people who watch the Tennis Channel but the men’s tour is outstanding right now with a crop of younger players starting to win. Worth a look.
Sports Update Intergalactic 
I will rarely defend Sanchez. But he threw a perfect throw down to second on Saturday that LeMahieu misplayed and Sanchez got the error. It was a perfect throw right on the bag and it skipped under LeMahieu’s glove. That night LeMahieu also misplayed two grounders but I will blame the shift for making both of those plays more difficult. OK, I’m done defending Sanchez. His defense is terrible and, in close games late in the year/playoffs will be a problem.
So the question is does Sanchez have more errors plus passed balls than home runs at the end of the season? I wonder if the on line betting sights have odds on that. I also wonder about the historical context of bad fielding home run hitters. He is screaming to be a DH. It will be interesting to see if the owners use the NL DH as a bargaining chip in the coming CBA negotiations. It’s fun to see Mets pitchers crack the occasional HR but I think it is finally time for a change.
Howard, can you fill us in on some of those top up and coming tennis players. I think the half dozen guys I know are all over 30 and the big 3 have dominated forever. The sport certainly needs some fresh blood.
Happy to offer the Yankees Todd Frazier for Giancarlo Stanton. Wow, you had that guy pegged! Such a likable person but a horrible hitter.
If Stanton wasn’t on the team they would make Romine the every day catcher and have Sanchez as the every day DH. I agree with sending Andujar down for a few weeks. Hopefully this generation doesn’t have to go see a Therapist once they are downgraded … even temporarily. Hey Chad green went down and he struck out the side the other day. Except for hockey all these sports have such sensitive players the the 2nd most important job after the Manager is the Therapist…. or is that another name for the Manager.
Trade Stanton please.
Its amazing how most of New York feel that if we don’t get Zion that’s a disaster for the next 10 years. Jesus,,,, we only have a 14% chance on landing him and a 47% chance we select 5th. This is a recipe for a metropolitan mental breakdown. Though it was said today that the last 4 years the worst team did get the #1 selection.
So Ursela and LeMaihue have to be Starters no matter who comes back. Steady hitters timely hitters, contact hitters… even though Ursula struck out 4 times yesterday…but still cam through with a double to drive in 2. Do we have the luxury on getting each player coming of the DL take 4-5 games to get their swing back… or longer?
PS Lets het Anthony Davis… not Mr. Sensitive form Golden State… and no Kayre Irving please. He’s all about himself.
I’m disappointed that the Knicks didn’t win the Zion sweepstakes but by not dropping lower than third they at least will get a very capable player. I am also disappointed, as is Zion, that he’ll be going to the Pelicans as they seem to be the most meh team in the league. Not sure if Zion showing up makes Anthony Davis want to stay.