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How is that possible?
“Ton of respect for Italy, but we wanna win this game even though our ticket’s punched.”
Those are the pregame words of Team USA manager Mark DeRosa before Team USA’s inexplicable 8-6 loss to Italy put the WBC favorite U.S. team in a possible elimination place, depending on how Italy and Mexico play out later today.
After the game, DeRosa said he misspoke. He also said he “misread” the guidelines because Team USA will eliminated if Mexico beats Italy and scores four runs or fewer today.
What is this, coach pitch? Is DeRosa’s kid playing short and hitting third?
How does this happen? Seriously.
And even if DeRosa “misspoke” before the game, let’s examine the manager’s actions more than his words.
In the pregame interview, he even referenced giving some key hitters some rest before the knockout rounds.
He sat regulars Bryce Harper, Byron Buxton, Cal Raleigh and Alex Bregman, and Team USA found itself in an 8-0 hole before staging a comeback that fell short.
Goodness.
Shouldn’t this fall into the growing conversation of “coaching malpractice” and be actionable?
What is the most egregious job sin you could commit? For me it would either be taking someone’s words and presenting them as my own or going all season five of “The Wire” and making stuff up.
Those get your credential pulled and parking revoked ASAP.
It feels like a manager/head coach not knowing the rules and tournament qualifications is akin to that, no?
How is that possible?
So there was a historic night in the NBA Tuesday.
An NBA All-Star dropped 83 in a game last night. Yes, 83. It’s more than anyone not named Wilt has ever totaled in any NBA game.
Was it Shai Gilgeous-Alexander? No.
Was it Luka or LeBron? Nah.
Was it KD or Giannis or even shoot-first, shoot-last, shoot-always James Harden? Nope, nope and nope.
Welcome to the history books Bam Adebayo, the Miami Heat center who clocked 83 — including an amazing 36-of-43 FTs — against the hapless Wizards.
First, major congrats to Bam, a genuinely good dude who grew up with next to nothing and plays his tail off. Scoring 83 is historic, but wow.
Just wow.
Bam scored 31 in the first quarter. That’s nuts.
But let’s examine the talking points here.
Miami clearly let Bam chase history and even helped the pursuit. Adebayo was still playing and scoring late in a blowout win. Heck, Miami was fouling late to get Bam the ball back.
And the Wizards stink on ice.
Still, if Joe Burrow and the Bengals were up 42-21 and he had 489 passing yards late in the third quitter, would we celebrate the team and the QB chasing history as he threw for another 100-plus yards in the final quarter of a runaway?
Thoughts?
How is that possible?
Las Vegas dealt All-Pro pass rusher Maxx Crosby to Baltimore for two first-round picks last Friday.
It started a domino-effect that allowed the Raiders to spend money like a drunken Marine in a Singapore saloon.
Welp, as we are hours away from the start of the new NFL season, the Ravens have backed out of the deal, claiming Crosby failed a physical.
Crosby had surgery two months ago, and his doctors say he is recovering normally.
Now we have to wonder if the Ravens got buyer’s remorse — two first-rounders for any non-QB has a success rate like planning your retirement with Lotto tickets — and bagged the deal.
So the Raiders are now left with multiple salary-cap questions — they added multiple edge rushers to fill the Crosby void — and facing the very real possibility of having a disgruntled Crosby back in the locker room.
And there is simply no way the Raiders will get anything close to the two first-rounders the Ravens agreed to late last week.
Moreover, the Ravens were clearly aggressive in trying to maximize the Lamar Jackson window, because Crosby is a difference-maker. And Baltimore made roster decisions to create the $30 or so million to add Crosby to the roster.
What a mess.
Now comes a report that Baltimore is looking to lure Cincinnati free agent pass rusher Trey Hendrickson.
Hmmmmmm. Yeah, failed a physical. And the dog ate your homework, right Baltimore?
This and that
> So a fishing tournament in Texas was rigged. Curtis Lee Daniels — great fishing name, Mr. Daniels — is accused of adding weights to the belly of a bass to increase his haul. Crazy, right? Well, Curtis was arrested and is facing a felony charge. Can you imagine the guys around the yard at Shawshank. “Whatcha in for?” “Killed a guy. You?” “Fishing tournament fraud.”
> Clay Fuller and Shawn Harris will face off next month to replace Marjorie Taylor Greene. Here’s more.
> Hate this news for Hunter Greene, the Reds ace who will be out until July after having elbow surgery. Worse news: He was part of the Lil 5-at-10’s fantasy team. Possible good news: Maybe he will get a rehab start at the new Erlanger Park later this summer.
> Speaking of the tots, the Lil Miss 5-at-10 got another start Tuesday. She pitched her ponytail off, going the full nine innings and throwing 135 pitches in a 4-2 extra-inning loss to Whitwell. She allowed four hits and one earned run and struck out 10. It was her second loss in roughly 24 hours. She made the start against a very good CCS team Monday and allowed two earned in two innings. Meant to share that Monday, because the good and the bad are part of the process.
> Syracuse coach Adrian Autry was fired. Man, Jim Boeheim’s legacy gets better with each passing year, no?
> Auburn plays Mississippi State in the SEC tournament this afternoon. If they don’t win this game, there is no chance of getting into the NCAA tournament. Personally, I think Stephen Pearl’s crew needs to win today and tomorrow against Tennessee to feel good about Sunday’s selection show.
> JTC passed this along Monday about the Cubs honoring Wes Rucker on their sign outside Wrigley. Cool.
> This is an all-time moment at the Blackjack table.
Today’s questions
Which Way Wednesday starts this way: Which word describes Bam’s 83-point showing?
Which word describes Mark DeRosa at this moment?
Which one do you believe: The Ravens backed out with a loophole, or they have have legit beef with Crosby’s health?
As for today, March 11, let’s review.
COVID was declared a pandemic on this day six years ago. Wow, six years ago? Wanna know something crazy? Still have never had the COVID.
Anthony Davis is 33 today.
Rushmore of unibrow, because Davis’s version is awesome.