Big dilemma for the Yankees. Should Jacoby Ellsbury’s number be retired? For those of you keeping score at home, he was number 22 (at least I think he was). I mean, should they give him credit for having signed the worst free agent contract in team history? There has to be some lasting monument or memento to him in the Stadium. Perhaps a urinal with a plaque over it? You have to give the guy credit. He leveraged one great year with the Red Sox with 30+ home runs (drug aided?) to a 7-year deal with the desperate Yankees. His body then disintegrated with injury after injury (of course, surprising as he wasn’t even playing when he got the new ones) which, as we know, often happens to players who possibly had a drug aided career. As the saying goes, “the world will never know.” SU says he should start a foundation with all the money he has made for not playing to help people. Just a thought.
And then, the news that long-time Yankee fave, Greg Bird, has been designated for assignment. The end of an era. SU hopes that he can catch on with some other team. He’s perfect for Tampa Bay who likes to give the cast-offs another chance. SU says we have not heard the last from Greg Bird. His plantar will be heard from again.
Did you see Carmelo made his 2019 debut last night for Portland? Shot 4 for 14 – in mid-season form with some defensive lapses. The Blazers must be excited that he has hit the ground running like that.
As a long-time subscriber to the NBA Season Pass, SU has been reduced to watching favorite players around the League vs. focusing on favorite teams these days. Now that Jeremy Lin has been banished to China, SU follows the ex-Michigan players. It’s actually a science to look up which teams are playing when, and then to anticipate when your favorite players will actually be on the court. Starters play at certain times vs. bench players. Well, I missed it last night, but Duncan Robinson made 9 3-pointers for the Heat. This is a guy who started out at Williams College and then transferred to Michigan. And some of the 3s that he made last night were about 10 feet behind the 3-point line. He is a legitimate shooter in the League. What’s great about the NBA is that in many of the Heat’s games, he is wide open but they never pass to him. Especially the point guard, Dragic. The NBA has the best players in the world… and the most selfish players in the world. But Robinson hustles, is 6-9, somewhat athletic, and it’s a great story. He has been starting of late until Justice Winslow returns. Then the coach will put him back on the bench because……. Sorry, not sure why but it will happen.
More and more, the NBA is now an isolation, 1 on1 league. I guess the analytics support this style of play but SU will continue to search for a team that actually passes to the open man night in and night out. I will keep you updated on my search.
Finally, MLB is apparently pissed off at Houston. They are going to be the poster child for technological cheating. I guess other teams will have to go back to reading lips again to steal signs.
Sports Update Intergalactic 
10 points on 14 shots is not good but easily anticipated as what you get from Mr. Anthony. His on the floor rating was a robust -20 which should earn him a seat on the bench where he will loudly complain until he finds himself out of the league again.
I’m with you on the watch players, not teams bandwagon as well. We might as well fast forward to the playoffs at this point.
The worst? Not sure. I have Alex Rodriguez pretty high on that list as well. He offered more production (for a few seasons) but then he had injury problems and was a regular distraction. At least Ellsbury was out of the way in FL doing nothing more than “preparing to resume baseball activities” and making bi-weekly deposits at the bank.
Looking forward to a spring training where we don’t have to speculate about Bird at first base. I was never a fan. He was a nice fill after Teixeira broke down for half a season where he hit a few homeruns and featured the best walk-up music on the team. After that he had one incredible spring training and that’s it. He never proved himself at the major league level…or even the minor league level. I felt bad for him when he faced atypical criticism from the front office with regard to work ethic and toughness but he also never really did anything to prove them wrong. I prefer Luke Voit but would be happier if they found a lefty first baseman with some power and a great glove.
I cannot understand how any NBA executive would want Carmelo Anthony on their team. And I felt the same way 10 years ago.