Morning Sports activities Replace
“If he would not bounce again and make vital enchancment, then I feel there’s going to be a quarterback state of affairs in New England subsequent 12 months.”
The Pink Sox defeated the Royals 4-3 on Wednesday. The 2 groups play once more this night within the four-game sequence finale at 7:10 p.m.
Additionally tonight, the Patriots kick off the preseason at Gillette Stadium in opposition to the Texans at 7 p.m.
Damien Woody on Mac Jones: Heading into the Patriots’ 2023 season, the strain continues to construct on third-year quarterback Mac Jones.
Although he had a robust rookie marketing campaign, Jones regressed in 2022 underneath a brand new offensive teaching workers.
Expectations are brewing for a bounce-back season, nevertheless, with Invoice O’Brien formally working the Patriots’ offense. But ought to Jones battle once more, it may spell the start of the tip of his time in New England, in keeping with former Patriots offensive lineman Damien Woody.
“I do know that Invoice Belichick didn’t do Mac Jones any favors final 12 months by the teaching workers that he surrounded [Jones] with, however I feel it is a crucial 12 months for [Jones],” Woody mentioned throughout a Thursday morning “Get Up!” phase on ESPN. “Clearly we all know that they introduced in Invoice O’Brien. If [Jones] doesn’t bounce again and make vital enchancment, then I feel there’s going to be a quarterback state of affairs in New England subsequent 12 months.”
Nonetheless, Woody doesn’t assume all is misplaced for the Patriots. Quite the opposite, he gave a reasonably emphatic endorsement.
“I feel he’s going to have a fairly rattling good 12 months,” Woody mentioned. “Invoice O’Brien goes to make every part make sense, offensively. Final 12 months, there was simply a lot confusion, and you may see it come out on the sidelines. I feel Invoice O’Brien goes to place an finish to all of that.”
Jones was chosen fifteenth general in 2021 by the Patriots. He threw 22 touchdowns as a rookie and accomplished 67.6 % of his passes. A 12 months in the past, his numbers dipped throughout the board as New England struggled to constantly generate offense.
Trivia: As of the win on Wednesday evening, Kenley Jansen now has 11 MLB seasons with not less than 25 saves. In accordance with Pink Sox postgame notes, this ties him with John Franco for the fourth most variety of seasons becoming that standards. Are you able to identify the three closers who’re forward of them on the checklist? That they had 13, 14, and 16 seasons with not less than 25 saves, respectively.
(Reply on the backside).
Trace: All three are within the Corridor of Fame. One pitched for the Pink Sox from 1988-1990. One pitched for a similar staff for all 19 seasons of his profession. The third made his MLB debut within the Marlins’ 1993 inaugural season earlier than being traded (in a deal that despatched Gary Sheffield in return) to the staff with which he would file 552 of his 601 profession saves.
Extra from Boston.com:
A weird second at Fenway: Masataka Yoshida leapt to attempt to make a catch in entrance of the Inexperienced Monster on Wednesday, however was baffled when he couldn’t discover the ball. Because it turned out, the ball crashed by way of a light-weight within the scoreboard.
On this present day: In 1960, Ted Williams hit two house runs and added a double to assist the Pink Sox defeat Cleveland, 6-1. The primary of his house runs was the 512th of his profession, sending Williams previous Mel Ott into fourth place on the all-time checklist.
The extra dramatic information got here after the sport, when the 41-year-old introduced he was retiring on the finish of the season.
“That is my final 12 months,” Williams mentioned when requested if he had an opportunity to catch Jimmie Foxx (at 534 profession house runs). “I’ll play the remainder of the 12 months and that’s it.”
It was a press release that caught some without warning, given Williams remained an distinctive hitter. Even on the finish of his profession, the veteran outfielder was nonetheless hitting with a .313/.460//682 slash line. However “The Child” had made up his thoughts, and wouldn’t alter his plan over mere sentiment.
“Gods don’t reply letters,” John Updike would be aware of Williams refusing a curtain name after his poetic ultimate recreation a number of weeks later. He waved away questions on his choice with a sometimes laconic reply.
“I need to give up with an excellent 12 months, and that is it.”
Day by day spotlight: Austin Hays pulled a house run again for the Orioles on Wednesday.
Trivia reply: Lee Smith (13), Trevor Hoffman (14), Mariano Rivera (16)
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