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03/09/2020

Another Reshuffle Coming in the College Ranks

[Posted early Sunday p.m.]

*Folks, I had major operational issues with this tonight.  I think it's OK now.
 

NCAA Basketball Quiz: Name the first team, AP All-America squad, from 2012-13.  I’ll give you the initials, all playing in the NBA today.  TB, DM, VO, KO, OP.  Which one was also first-team in 2011-12, as well as 2013-14? Answers below. 

***This is obviously a critical week coming up in the world of sports in terms of the impact of the coronavirus and local authorities needing to make decisions on limiting crowds, or eliminating them as much as possible all together.  Fingers crossed. 

None of us want to watch March Madness played in front of empty arenas, but we rely on public officials and the medical community to do the right thing for the good of us all. 

A city like New York, however, can survive economically if the East Regional isn’t held at Madison Square Garden.  But the impact on Augusta, Georgia, if The Masters has to prohibit fans, is huge.  [Just like the cancellation of South by Southwest is a big blow to the economy of Austin, Texas, $300 million worth, I saw.] 

College Basketball Review 

Another shakeup is looming in the AP Poll tomorrow, with a few more upsets in the top ten, conference regular-season titles being decided. 

--No. 1 Kansas will remain so, 66-62 winners on the road at Texas Tech (18-13, 9-9), the Jayhawks wrapping up the Big 12 title at 28-3, 17-1, as No. 3 Baylor lost its third in five contests, 76-64 at West Virginia (21-10, 9-9), the Bears falling to 26-4, 15-3. 

So you’d think Baylor has lost out on a 1-seed, but then 5 San Diego State lost the Mountain West Conference tournament title game to Utah State, 59-56, the Aggies (26-8, 12-6) punching their ticket into the Big Dance and thus taking a bid away from someone else.  The Aztecs, 30-2, 17-1, are officially out of the running for a 1-seed.
 

No. 2 Gonzaga plays Monday in the West Coast Conference tournament, while No3 Dayton (29-2, 18-0) wrapped up its A-10 regular season undefeated with a 76-51 defeat of George Washington (12-19, 6-12).  There is little doubt Dayton secured a 1-seed, regardless of what it does in the A-10 tournament, especially with the San Diego State loss.
 

6 Kentucky is 25-6, 15-3, regular-season SEC titleholders with a 71-70 win at Florida (19-12, 11-7), but earlier in the week they lost to Tennessee so they won’t be receiving a 1-seed, in all likelihood.

7 Florida State, on the other hand, won its first ACC regular-season title (28 seasons in the conference), the Seminoles now 26-5, 16-4, with an 80-62 win over Boston College (13-18, 7-13).  Hey, if FSU wins the conference tournament, they should be a 1-seed over Baylor or Kentucky, in my estimation (Kansas, Gonzaga, Dayton surefire 1s as of today).

My “Pick to Click” No. 8 Seton Hall, however, finished another rough week.  After losing a terrific game to 14 Villanova on Wednesday, 79-77, the Pirates with a chance to wrap up the Big East title, they then still had a chance to win it outright at 11 Creighton Saturday, but the Bluejays prevailed 77-60 in a game that was much closer than the final score, Creighton’s Mark Zegarowski with 23 points, 5 of 5 from three, though with a worrisome injury at the end.

Creighton was 14 of 26 from three and committed just five turnovers, while the Pirates committed 14 TOs, and Mamu (after two super efforts his prior two games) was held scoreless in the second half, while Myles Powell was held in check.

So Creighton shares the Big East regular season crown at 13-5, with Seton Hall and Villanova.  What a great job by coach Greg McDermott, his boys finishing 24-7 and winners of 11 of their last 13.
 

The Hall, on the other hand, 21-9 overall, could still get a 2-seed if they win the Big East conference tournament, which should be outstanding.  But you can make the same case for Creighton and Villanova.

Villanova beat Georgetown yesterday 70-69 to finish 24-7, the Hoyas 15-16, 5-13.
 

In other games, 22 Virginia is surging, now 23-7, 15-5, after a 57-54 home win against 10 Louisville (24-7, 15-5).  The defending champion Cavs have won 8 straight.

12 Duke (25-6, 15-5) thinks it has a new secret weapon in former walk-on, senior Justin Robinson, David’s boy.  In four years he hardly got off the bench for the Blue Devils, but Coach K has been playing him down the stretch and in a 89-76 win over North Carolina (13-18, 6-14), Robinson had a career-high 13 points on 4 of 6 from downtown, plus six rebounds and four blocks.  He’s provided much-needed energy and out of nowhere will be factor in tourney play.

As for the Tar Heels, no one will be surprised if Roy Williams hangs it up.
 

One more while in the ACC, Friday night, Wake Forest played an awful game at North Carolina State, falling 84-64, the Deacs finishing the regular season 13-17, 6-14, as in the past few days, the rumors Wake is finally going to part ways with coach Danny Manning have been rampant.
 

In the last three seasons alone in the ACC, Danny is...4-14, 4-14, 6-14. The Deacs are 6-49 in ACC road games under him. 

We want Beilein!  We want Beilein!”
 

Three other games of note yesterday.  Rutgers desperately needed a win on the road to impress the Selection Committee and picked it up, 71-68 at Purdue (16-15, 9-11).  The Scarlet Knights were clearly on the bubble a week ago, but wins over Maryland and the Boilermakers wrapped up their bid, the team now 20-11, 11-9.
 

However, my season-long “Pick to Surprise / Elite Eight” Colorado has lost four in a row, the latest yesterday, 74-72 in overtime at Utah (16-14, 7-11), and, boy, the Buffaloes better win two games in the Pac-12 tournament or no way they get a bid.  Kind of shocking, CU 21-10, 10-8.  Here again, the Utah State win over SDSU could spell the end for the Boys from Boulder.  That would suck.
 

Indiana’s bid is out the window, falling at home to 24 Wisconsin (21-10, 14-6), the Hoosiers 19-12, 9-11.  The Badgers, on the other hand, are hot as anyone (along with Virginia), winners of 8 straight as well.
 

--Today, 9 Maryland, after its loss to Rutgers, beat 25 Michigan (19-12, 10-10) 83-70 on Senior Day (I’m kind of sick of ‘Senior Day,’ by the way...like, whatever...unless it was Tim Duncan or  Randolph Childress, but then I’m biased...). 

Anyway, I guess the Terps can still get a 2-seed if they win the Big Ten tournament, otherwise they’re a 3.  Michigan shouldn’t worry.  They’re in, the ninth of the Big Ten’s nine bids, says your editor.
 

--Oops, focused on golf this afternoon and missed that Winthrop (Big South), Bradley (MVC) and Liberty (ASun) all punched their tickets to the Dance this afternoon.

--Kansas has been under the cloud of an NCAA investigation into allegations involving recruiting violations allegedly committed by the Jayhawks’ men’s basketball program.  Notcie was first served in September and this week the school submitted its response to five violations considered Level 1, or infractions that carry the stiffest penalties, including postseason bans, scholarship reductions and suspensions for the coaching staff.
 

But for now, with Kansas’ response, the NCAA has 60 days to reply to the case, though the overall process could still take months to complete, and Kansas could potentially challenge any decision in federal court.
 

Meaning, “March On,” boys.

NBA

--The Nets fired coach Kenny Atkinson suddenly on Saturday morning.
 

“After discussions with Kenny about the progress of the season, we mutually agreed that a coaching change would be in the best interest of the team,” general manager Sean Marks said in a statement.  “This was an extremely difficult decision, however the organization believes it is one that is necessary at this time.  Kenny was instrumental in developing our players and building the identity and culture we have become known for over these past four seasons.  The foundation he helped put in place here is one that we will continue to build on in the coming seasons.”
 

What culture?  No one has ever talked about a ‘culture’ in Brooklyn, unless it was a throat culture, but I digress.

Assistant coach Jacque Vaughn will serve as interim coach the rest of the season.

Atkinson was fired.  There was no ‘mutual agreement.’ 

The Nets were seventh in the East, 28-34, and Kyrie Irving hardly played before he was ruled out for the season last month.  Kevin Durant will be making his debut next season.
 

Atkinson took over a Nets team in rebuild mode at the start of the 2016 season.
 

2016-17...20-62 
2017-18...28-54 
2018-19...42-40...playoffs 
2019-20...28-34

I mean no one is crying over the move, it’s just clear the players got tired of him, and the players call the shots.

Atkinson, though, still has a strong reputation, especially in developing young talent, and his name is already surfacing for the Knicks’ head coaching job.

Well, Jacque Vaughn was successful in his first game, the Nets defeating Chicago 110-107 this afternoon.

--Steph Curry, who finally returned on Thursday after missing the entire regular season (save for the first four games back in October), scored 23 points in 27 minutes in a loss to the Raptors, but sat out Saturday’s game against the 76ers with the flu.  The Warriors felt compelled to add in a statement that Curry had “no specific risk factors for COVID-19.  He has the seasonal flu.”  Phew.

So what does Golden State do?  They beat Philadelphia (38-26) 118-114 to improve to 15-49.
 

MLB

There is only one story in the New York area these days (outside Kenny Atkinson), the health status of Yankee outfielder Aaron Judge.  After doctors were unable to figure out for weeks why Judge came to spring training with a sore shoulder and pectoral muscle, Judge finally found out Friday that he won’t be ready for Open Day, and Judge is partially blaming himself...but far from totally.

It turns out the nagging shoulder/pec issue was really a stress fracture to his first right rib, and Judge is mad at himself for pushing hard throughout the offseason despite the pain. 

If Judge had opted for rest, he might be all the way healed by now instead of maybe halfway recovered from an injury that may take three to six months to heal!
 

“But me pissed about how the season ended last year and the changes I wanted to make, I went right back to it,” Judge said at his spring training locker late Friday.  “We’ve all been through pain, bumps and bruises.  In my head, I felt like it was something that I could fight through and I think that kind of cost me a little bit there.”

Judge also knows that there is another side to his saga.  The doctors didn’t diagnose it at first; this after the Yankees redid their training staff in the offseason after dealing with similar issues last year with Giancarlo Stanton, Luis Severino, Aaron Hicks and Dellin Betances, among others.

And now the training staff is under the spotlight all over again.  First, Severino’s early spring shoulder soreness turned into a UCL tear that led to season-ending Tommy John surgery, Stanton may not be ready for Opening Day, and now, who knows how long Judge will be out.

But, again, when it comes to Judge, he didn’t help himself, admitting, “Swinging and lifting during the offseason really didn’t give it a chance [to heal]….In my head I thought it was something I could fight through and it cost me.”

The thing is the injury goes back to a game last Sept. 18, as Judge made a diving attempt on a fly ball.  He grimaced when he got up, and the team later said that he had jammed his shoulder.  He kept playing through the ALCS.
 

But on Friday, Judge revealed that he had felt a “crack” and a “pop” on that play. With adrenaline flowing and the postseason coming up, Judge said he did not think much of the injury.  He passed a few tests (including an MRI), received “a couple shots” in the troubled area and kept hitting the field.

Over the course of the winter, though, the pain got worse and he was confused by its source.

[This just in, now catcher Gary Sanchez has back issues.]
 

--As I noted last time, it’s now official, Christian Yelich and the Brewers reached agreement on a seven-year, $187.25 million extension that, coupled with the two remaining years on his earlier seven-year contract signed in March 2015 with Miami, takes him through 2028 with Milwaukee.

Yelich is the perfect face for a franchise – a superstar on the field and off, and a leader in the clubhouse.

--Baseball America released its Top 100 MLB Prospects and for the second straight year, there is consensus among the staffers that Wander Franco of the Rays is No. 1.
 

The Rays also once again lead all teams with eight Top 100 prospects, followed by the Dodgers (7), Twins (6) and Padres (6).

Milwaukee is the only team without a Top 100 prospect.
 

The Yankees have three, the Mets and Phillies just two.

The Dodgers have at least four Top 100 prospects for the seventh straight year. Their 2016 class included Corey Seager, Cody Bellinger, Julio Urias, Alex Verdugo and Kenta Maeda. 

As Larry David would say, “Pretty, pretty good.”
 

By the way, 70 of the 100 are from the United States, 17 from the Dominican Republic.
 

--The Mets are making a nice move, announcing that they were retiring Jerry Koosman’s No. 36 before the June 13 game against Washington.
 

Koosman was 222-209, 3.36 ERA, lifetime; 140-137, 3.09 with the Mets, including 2-0, 2.04 in the ‘69 World Series triumph.  [4-0 overall in the postseason with the Mets.]
 

He is just the third player number retired by the team after Tom Seaver’s No. 41 in 1988 and Mike Piazza’s No. 31 in 2016.
 

Two of its managers also have their numbers retired: Casey Stengel’s No. 37 and Gil Hodges’ No. 14.

NFL

--ESPN is reporting that a number of NFL owners hope the proposed collective bargaining agreement being voted on by the players doesn’t pass, because they believe they can negotiate a better deal, with eyes on an 18-game season in the future, a league source told Jeremy Fowler.

The owners “feel they gave up too much on the economics.” 

Players have until 11:59 p.m. ET Thursday to cast their votes on the proposed CBA.  The CBA will pass if it receives a simple majority.  It would be in effect for the 2020 season, expanded playoffs, with a move to a 17-game schedule as early as 2021.  The deal would run through the 2030 season.

Players such as Aaron Rodgers, Richard Sherman and Maurkice Pouncey have staunchly opposed the deal, which increases revenue-sharing from 47% to 48.5% once the 17-game schedule kicks in, and raises the minimum salary.

But while some of the owners apparently don’t like giving up more revenue, they also don’t like the game-day roster increase from 46 to 48 players, and the expansion of the practice squad to 14 players in 2022.

But since minimum salaried players make up much of the NFL’s working body, and since those players would see significant salary increases under the new deal – second-year players rising from $495,000 to $675,000 next year, for example – it is expected the new deal will pass.

--Tom Brady and Bill Belichick had a phone call on Tuesday and according to the Boston Herald, it “didn’t go well.” 

The Titans, Raiders, Chargers, Buccaneers and perhaps the 49ers are among the potential suitors for Brady’s services. 

New England doesn’t want him to leave, but most reports have the Patriots just offering one year, and Brady wants two.
 

--When the Jets drafted defensive lineman Quinnen Williams out of Alabama with their first pick, third overall, in 2019, us fans got to see that he seemed like a great kid, bubbly personality, eager to help get the Jets over the hump and become a real force on ‘D’.  He then proceeded to have a highly-disappointing campaign, but the potential is there.
 

And then out of nowhere, he was arrested Thursday for allegedly possessing a gun at LaGuardia Airport, as he was about to catch a plane out of town.  Williams had a permit for it, but it was licensed in Alabama, and under New York law, you need a New York license.

The gun wasn’t loaded, but let’s just say this is disappointing.  I’m willing to cut him a break, though, once we hear his explanation.
 

Golf Balls

--The winds the first two Tour stops in Florida have been brutal and we’ve seen some high scores.  Brooks Koepka, who made the cut this week at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, Bay Hill, shot the highest score of his PGA Tour career on Saturday, a 9-over-par 81.  First-round leader Matt Every, who shot a 65 on Thursday, shot an 83 in the second round and missed the cut.
 

Saturday, sixty-nine players teed it up and only one (Max Homa) shot under par.  25 of them shot rounds of five-over or worse.
  
 

But Tyrrell Hatton, with a one-over 73, emerged in solo first heading into Sunday, leading Rory McIlroy and Mark Leishman by two.
 
 

And Hatton came through in a totally fascinating, ridiculously hard, fourth round; Hatton defeating Leishman by one for his first PGA Tour win.  The colorful lad from Britain is refreshing...wearing his emotions, and then some, on his sleeve with every shot.
 

Hatton finished –4, when the second-round lead was –7...to give you an idea of just how difficult it was this weekend, and the whole event.

On to Sawgrass and the TPC!

Among the others missing the cut this weekend...Phil Mickelson, Tony Finau, Adam Scott, Tommy Fleetwood and Jason Day (who withdrew in the second round).
 

And another who MC’d was Scott Piercy.
 

Piercy’s life has taken a turn for the worse.  On Monday, he created a meme on his Instagram account that was considered to be homophobic in nature about former Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg dropping out of the race.
 

On Tuesday, Piercy posted an apology via Instagram.  “Whenever I post my intent is never to offend.  I want to apologize if any of my recent story posts have been offensive.  I will do better!” he wrote. 

On Wednesday, Piercy was wearing a Titleist-logoed hat as part of the terms of his contract with the equipment manufacturer as he practiced for the tournament.  Thursday, he sported a black hat with a rose on it, which he said he bought on the Internet.  According to Piercy, it was the only hat that he had.
 

You see, Titleist dumped him overnight.  [Actually, Acushnet Co., Titleist’s parent did.]  Other sponsors are dumping Piercy as well.  All of us have to be so careful in today’s world before we press “send.”

--Phil W. passed on a tweet the other day from Curtis Strange, this weekend being Arnie’s tournament.
 

“Fav Arnold Palmer story. 1961 in NY 4 athlete of yr award. On way 2 dinner, Roger Maris says to AP, ‘What the f—k are you doing here?’  AP is angry but says nothing. Award is announced and AP wins.  On way 2 podium, AP passes Roger and leans down and whispers, ‘What the f—k are you doing here?’”

[I had to check Curtis’ facts and Maris won the AP Athlete of the Year for ‘61, but Arnie won the Hickok Belt, which was a big deal back then, in 1960, and it might have been awarded in early ‘61.  Maris was A.L. MVP in both ‘60 and ‘61.  Arnie was Sports Illustrated’s “Sportsman of the Year” in 1960 as well.]

--David P. reminded me of his Arnold Palmer story.  After shooting his best score on the local par-3 here in Summit when he was in like seventh grade, a course a bunch of us now play more than ever (beers afterward, of course), Dave sent the scorecard to Palmer and a short time later got it back, with a signed letter of congratulations from The King.

--With my mom growing up in the Latrobe, Pa., area (Greensburg), every time I went “home,” I was regaled with Arnold Palmer stories from all my relatives.  Mom was a huge fan, along with 84 million other women in the country who were in lust.
 

So in 1990, I took Mom to the U.S. Senior Open at Ridgewood CC, Paramus, to see him.  I made sure she was up front at a tee box and as was his wont, he of course made eye contact with everyone as he circled the box before his tee shot.  He half-glanced at me, then locked eyes on Mom for what seemed a full 3 seconds.  She melted.  [Wish I had remembered that story for her eulogy last fall.]
 

I have to admit, when the Golf Channel’s coverage today flipped over to NBC, I stayed with GC for a half hour to watch “Arnie & Me.”

--Bad news...Tiger Woods is missing next week’s Players Championship because of a back injury.
 

Woods hasn’t played since the Genesis Open three weeks ago when he made the cut but finished last, citing back stiffness. 

“I have to listen to my body and properly rest when needed,” Woods tweeted.  “My back is simply just not ready for play next week.”

There’s obvious cause for concern, Tiger having had four back surgeries and four knee operations, the last in August.

--Reminder, the U.S. Postal Service unveiled its Arnold Palmer stamp on Wednesday...and remember, it lasts “Forever,” so buy a couple hundred...or a ‘book,’ if you only plan to send ten more letters or cards out the rest of your life.
 

--And this note...the Arnold Palmer Cup, a challenge between U.S. and International college golfers, both men and women, is being held in July at my beloved Lahinch G.C. in County Clare, Ireland.
 

But I’ve been receiving notes from the club that the brutal Irish winter, with rain like ten times normal in parts, has done a number on Lahinch and all the links courses....think sand blowing on the fairways and greens.  Hope my boys can get it in shape by then.  [And hope coronavirus, now spreading on the Emerald Isle, isn’t an issue either.]

If you want a great picture of Lahinch and wonder why I’ve been there 21 times, check out arnoldpalmercup.com.
 

--I’m following the Latin American Tour event tonight as it winds down.  I’ll tell you why next time.  Potentially cool story.  It’s a little personal.  [No, nothing to do with Carlos Franco.]
 

NHL

--I’ve been getting fired up over the New York Rangers and their push for their playoffs, but then after signing veteran winger Chris Kreider to a major contract extension rather than trading him, Kreider immediately broke his foot and the Rangers lost their first three without him.

But then they had an incredibly dramatic 6-5 overtime win over the Capitals at the Garden on Thursday, and despite their struggles they were only two points out of the final playoff slot.
 

Budding superstar Mika Zibanejad had a franchise-tying 5 goals for the Blueshirts, including the game-winner in OT, one of just four with 5 goals in a game this century, Zibanejad also joining Sergei Fedorov (12-26-1996) as the only players with 5 goals including an OT winner (since 1983-84).  [Alex Ovechkin had two goals for the Caps, adding to the excitement of the contest.]

So Saturday, rookie goalie sensation Igor Shesterkin returned in net for the Rangers, just two weeks after fracturing a rib in an auto accident, New York hosting the Devils, and let’s just say, the Rangers and Shesterkin may have rushed it a bit, Igor allowing five goals before being relieved, New Jersey prevailing 6-4, just his second loss in 11 starts.

[Zibanejad scored a goal in the first period yesterday, his 39th of the season, 15th in 11 games.  He is fifth in the league in goals scored, Boston’s David Pastrnak first with 48, followed by Ovechkin with 47.]

--We note the passing of Hockey Hall of Famer Henri Richard, the “Pocket Rocket,” who won a league-record 11 Stanley Cups.  Richard died after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease at the age of 84.
 

Richard, a center, spent his entire 20-year career with the Montreal Canadiens and was the captain from 1971 to 1975. 

Richard holds the franchise record for games played (1,258) and is ranked third in assists (688) and points (1,046).  He recorded 358 regular-season goals before retiring after the 1974-75 season.   He added 129 points in 180 playoff games.
 

Premier League

--Saturday, Liverpool is now three wins away from the Premier League title after a 2-1 win over Bournemouth, James Milner with a brilliant goal-line clearance my brother, Liverpool fan, made sure I saw.

Arsenal defeated West Ham 1-0 as the Gunners continue their much-improved play.

My Tottenham Spurs managed only a 1-1 draw with Burnley.
 

Today, Chelsea blitzed Everton 4-0 to help secure the fourth spot, while Man U upset Man City in its Derby, completing a sweep over City for the first time in a decade.  Good on United and manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who has had a tough year, but his boys are playing their best down the stretch.
 

Standings after 28/29 of 38....Games / Points....

1. Liverpool 29 – 82  
2. Man City 28 – 57  
3. Leicester City 28 – 50  
4. Chelsea 29 – 48  
5. Man U 29 – 45  
6. Wolves 29 – 45  
7. Sheffield 28 – 43  
8. Tottenham 29 – 41  
9. Arsenal 28 – 40

Relegation Battle

 

16. West Ham 29 – 27 … -15 goal differential 
17. Watford 29 – 27  … -17 
18. Bournemouth 29 – 27 … -18 
19. Aston Villa 27 – 25 … -18 
20. Norwich 29 - 21

Yes, a real tension convention developing to avoid going down, fan bases on edge, drinking heavily.

--Meanwhile, the coronavirus is doing a number on the European leagues, with Italy’s Serie A contests played this weekend without crowds, and in France’s Ligue 1, while the game between No. 1 Paris St-Germain and Strasbourg, scheduled for Saturday, was postponed, the first top flight game in the country to be called off, with over 600 having tested positive for the virus by Friday when the decision was made.
 

Stuff

--Coronavirus has been wreaking havoc on the Alpine World Cup circuit, but next week, the women are in Are, Sweden, and Mikaela Shiffrin is making her return there, after the death of her father.

Shiffrin turns 25 on March 13 and she told the New York Times’ Bill Pennington that the last month has been a whirlwind.
 

“We really haven’t started the grieving process,” she said.  “We are sort of existing.”
 

Mikaela told Pennington the story of the day she and her mother, Eileen, her frequent traveling companion on the Cup circuit, learned that her dad had had a serious ‘incident’ back in Colorado.  Mikaela was training in Europe and it took them several hours to arrange a flight to Denver.  Imagine, the two had to drive five hours, ending up at Munich Airport, with all the emotions, standing in line waiting to board, when in the periphery of their vision they saw a tall man approaching them.
 

“Mikaela and I were holding hands, arm in arm, just in shock and shaking,” said Eileen, who feared they would be asked to talk about ski racing at an inopportune time.
 

It was Bode Miller, who was on the same flight.  He walked up wordlessly and hugged Mikaela.

While the family still refuses to discuss the details, a coroner ruled it an accident and listed the cause of death as a head injury.  It does seem Jeff was alive when Mikaela and her mother got to the hospital in Denver where he had been transported.

As for Bode, not knowing the seriousness of the situation, Eileen said, “(He) just saw us and could just tell something wasn’t right.  I mean, of all people.  Of all times.”
 

Remember.  It was in 2018 that Miller’s 19-month-old daughter, Emmy, accidentally drowned in a neighbor’s pool.  Five years earlier, Bode’s younger brother, Chelone, had died of an apparent seizure.

Aware that Miller and his wife, Morgan, have since become water safety advocates and have continued to grow their family, Mikaela called the chance meeting calming, even inspirational.  “She saw hope when all there had been was despair.” [Bill Pennington]

“Just seeing Bode right then,” Shiffrin said, “and he didn’t say anything at first, but it was like: No, it’s not OK, you’re not OK.  But in the same sense, it’s going to be OK.”
 

Here’s hoping Mikaela can find some peace back on the slopes.

--Modell’s Sporting Goods is preparing to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy as soon as today, Sunday, according to the New York Post. 

The 131-year-old athletic gear retailer has most of its 140 stores in the northeast, and CEO Mitch Modell blamed his company’s woes on “lousy” local sports teams that have depressed jersey sales. At the same time, he had asked building and mall owners to “dig deeper” and lower rents or at least defer them to help the retailer, which has 2,900 employees, avoid bankruptcy. 

But it is true that when the Mets, Jets, Giants and Knicks suck, jersey sales dry up. 

--This is bizarre, and more than scary.  “FBI” actor Derek Hedlund and his being cut by a crab, the aftermath of which was told to the New York Post’s Page Six.

Hedlund said that he was helping a buddy move a Jet Ski in Red Bank, NJ, in July when the crab clawed at his foot, leaving a tiny cut.  But...it turned out the water he was wading in was infected with the “flesh-eating bacteria” Vibrio.
 

Hedlund’s foot swelled up, and at one stage a doctor said to him, “You see this line on your leg?  That is the [vibriosis] spreading up your leg.  You can literally see it.”  Hedlund was told if it reached a certain point on his leg, they’d have to amputate it to save his life. 

So then while all this going on, he got a call for the second season of “FBI” and, against doctors’ orders, he discharged himself to attend a wardrobe fitting, showing up on crutches. 

To his horror, the script had him chasing “terrorists” through Central Park.  He said that while the shoot was excruciating, “I did what I needed to do, and I’m still alive.”

Top 3 songs for the week 3/12/77: #1 “Love Theme From ‘A Star Is Born’ (Evergreen)” (Barbra Streisand...ugh...)  #2 “Fly Like An Eagle” (Steve Miller)  #3 “I Like Dreamin’” (Kenny Nolan)...and...#4 “Night Moves” (Bob Seger)  #5 “Blinded By The Light” (Manfred Mann’s Earth Band)  #6 “Dancing Queen” (Abba)  #7 “Torn Between Two Lovers” (Mary MacGregor)  #8 “Year Of The Cat” (Al Stewart)  #9 “Rich Girl” (Daryl Hall & John Oates)  #10 “Go Your Own Way” (Fleetwood Mac...eh.... ‘C+’....there appears to be some disgust with my grading recently, and for the past six years...so I’m self-quarantining for two weeks...)
 

NCAA Basketball Quiz Answers: 2012-13 AP First Team, All-America.... 

Trey Burke, Michigan 
Doug McDermott, Creighton 
Victor Oladipo, Indiana 
Kelly Olynyk, Gonzaga 
Otto Porter, Georgetown
 

Doug McDermott was also first team in 2011-12 and 2013-14.

Next Bar Chat, Thursday. 

 



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Bar Chat

03/09/2020

Another Reshuffle Coming in the College Ranks

[Posted early Sunday p.m.]

*Folks, I had major operational issues with this tonight.  I think it's OK now.
 

NCAA Basketball Quiz: Name the first team, AP All-America squad, from 2012-13.  I’ll give you the initials, all playing in the NBA today.  TB, DM, VO, KO, OP.  Which one was also first-team in 2011-12, as well as 2013-14? Answers below. 

***This is obviously a critical week coming up in the world of sports in terms of the impact of the coronavirus and local authorities needing to make decisions on limiting crowds, or eliminating them as much as possible all together.  Fingers crossed. 

None of us want to watch March Madness played in front of empty arenas, but we rely on public officials and the medical community to do the right thing for the good of us all. 

A city like New York, however, can survive economically if the East Regional isn’t held at Madison Square Garden.  But the impact on Augusta, Georgia, if The Masters has to prohibit fans, is huge.  [Just like the cancellation of South by Southwest is a big blow to the economy of Austin, Texas, $300 million worth, I saw.] 

College Basketball Review 

Another shakeup is looming in the AP Poll tomorrow, with a few more upsets in the top ten, conference regular-season titles being decided. 

--No. 1 Kansas will remain so, 66-62 winners on the road at Texas Tech (18-13, 9-9), the Jayhawks wrapping up the Big 12 title at 28-3, 17-1, as No. 3 Baylor lost its third in five contests, 76-64 at West Virginia (21-10, 9-9), the Bears falling to 26-4, 15-3. 

So you’d think Baylor has lost out on a 1-seed, but then 5 San Diego State lost the Mountain West Conference tournament title game to Utah State, 59-56, the Aggies (26-8, 12-6) punching their ticket into the Big Dance and thus taking a bid away from someone else.  The Aztecs, 30-2, 17-1, are officially out of the running for a 1-seed.
 

No. 2 Gonzaga plays Monday in the West Coast Conference tournament, while No3 Dayton (29-2, 18-0) wrapped up its A-10 regular season undefeated with a 76-51 defeat of George Washington (12-19, 6-12).  There is little doubt Dayton secured a 1-seed, regardless of what it does in the A-10 tournament, especially with the San Diego State loss.
 

6 Kentucky is 25-6, 15-3, regular-season SEC titleholders with a 71-70 win at Florida (19-12, 11-7), but earlier in the week they lost to Tennessee so they won’t be receiving a 1-seed, in all likelihood.

7 Florida State, on the other hand, won its first ACC regular-season title (28 seasons in the conference), the Seminoles now 26-5, 16-4, with an 80-62 win over Boston College (13-18, 7-13).  Hey, if FSU wins the conference tournament, they should be a 1-seed over Baylor or Kentucky, in my estimation (Kansas, Gonzaga, Dayton surefire 1s as of today).

My “Pick to Click” No. 8 Seton Hall, however, finished another rough week.  After losing a terrific game to 14 Villanova on Wednesday, 79-77, the Pirates with a chance to wrap up the Big East title, they then still had a chance to win it outright at 11 Creighton Saturday, but the Bluejays prevailed 77-60 in a game that was much closer than the final score, Creighton’s Mark Zegarowski with 23 points, 5 of 5 from three, though with a worrisome injury at the end.

Creighton was 14 of 26 from three and committed just five turnovers, while the Pirates committed 14 TOs, and Mamu (after two super efforts his prior two games) was held scoreless in the second half, while Myles Powell was held in check.

So Creighton shares the Big East regular season crown at 13-5, with Seton Hall and Villanova.  What a great job by coach Greg McDermott, his boys finishing 24-7 and winners of 11 of their last 13.
 

The Hall, on the other hand, 21-9 overall, could still get a 2-seed if they win the Big East conference tournament, which should be outstanding.  But you can make the same case for Creighton and Villanova.

Villanova beat Georgetown yesterday 70-69 to finish 24-7, the Hoyas 15-16, 5-13.
 

In other games, 22 Virginia is surging, now 23-7, 15-5, after a 57-54 home win against 10 Louisville (24-7, 15-5).  The defending champion Cavs have won 8 straight.

12 Duke (25-6, 15-5) thinks it has a new secret weapon in former walk-on, senior Justin Robinson, David’s boy.  In four years he hardly got off the bench for the Blue Devils, but Coach K has been playing him down the stretch and in a 89-76 win over North Carolina (13-18, 6-14), Robinson had a career-high 13 points on 4 of 6 from downtown, plus six rebounds and four blocks.  He’s provided much-needed energy and out of nowhere will be factor in tourney play.

As for the Tar Heels, no one will be surprised if Roy Williams hangs it up.
 

One more while in the ACC, Friday night, Wake Forest played an awful game at North Carolina State, falling 84-64, the Deacs finishing the regular season 13-17, 6-14, as in the past few days, the rumors Wake is finally going to part ways with coach Danny Manning have been rampant.
 

In the last three seasons alone in the ACC, Danny is...4-14, 4-14, 6-14. The Deacs are 6-49 in ACC road games under him. 

We want Beilein!  We want Beilein!”
 

Three other games of note yesterday.  Rutgers desperately needed a win on the road to impress the Selection Committee and picked it up, 71-68 at Purdue (16-15, 9-11).  The Scarlet Knights were clearly on the bubble a week ago, but wins over Maryland and the Boilermakers wrapped up their bid, the team now 20-11, 11-9.
 

However, my season-long “Pick to Surprise / Elite Eight” Colorado has lost four in a row, the latest yesterday, 74-72 in overtime at Utah (16-14, 7-11), and, boy, the Buffaloes better win two games in the Pac-12 tournament or no way they get a bid.  Kind of shocking, CU 21-10, 10-8.  Here again, the Utah State win over SDSU could spell the end for the Boys from Boulder.  That would suck.
 

Indiana’s bid is out the window, falling at home to 24 Wisconsin (21-10, 14-6), the Hoosiers 19-12, 9-11.  The Badgers, on the other hand, are hot as anyone (along with Virginia), winners of 8 straight as well.
 

--Today, 9 Maryland, after its loss to Rutgers, beat 25 Michigan (19-12, 10-10) 83-70 on Senior Day (I’m kind of sick of ‘Senior Day,’ by the way...like, whatever...unless it was Tim Duncan or  Randolph Childress, but then I’m biased...). 

Anyway, I guess the Terps can still get a 2-seed if they win the Big Ten tournament, otherwise they’re a 3.  Michigan shouldn’t worry.  They’re in, the ninth of the Big Ten’s nine bids, says your editor.
 

--Oops, focused on golf this afternoon and missed that Winthrop (Big South), Bradley (MVC) and Liberty (ASun) all punched their tickets to the Dance this afternoon.

--Kansas has been under the cloud of an NCAA investigation into allegations involving recruiting violations allegedly committed by the Jayhawks’ men’s basketball program.  Notcie was first served in September and this week the school submitted its response to five violations considered Level 1, or infractions that carry the stiffest penalties, including postseason bans, scholarship reductions and suspensions for the coaching staff.
 

But for now, with Kansas’ response, the NCAA has 60 days to reply to the case, though the overall process could still take months to complete, and Kansas could potentially challenge any decision in federal court.
 

Meaning, “March On,” boys.

NBA

--The Nets fired coach Kenny Atkinson suddenly on Saturday morning.
 

“After discussions with Kenny about the progress of the season, we mutually agreed that a coaching change would be in the best interest of the team,” general manager Sean Marks said in a statement.  “This was an extremely difficult decision, however the organization believes it is one that is necessary at this time.  Kenny was instrumental in developing our players and building the identity and culture we have become known for over these past four seasons.  The foundation he helped put in place here is one that we will continue to build on in the coming seasons.”
 

What culture?  No one has ever talked about a ‘culture’ in Brooklyn, unless it was a throat culture, but I digress.

Assistant coach Jacque Vaughn will serve as interim coach the rest of the season.

Atkinson was fired.  There was no ‘mutual agreement.’ 

The Nets were seventh in the East, 28-34, and Kyrie Irving hardly played before he was ruled out for the season last month.  Kevin Durant will be making his debut next season.
 

Atkinson took over a Nets team in rebuild mode at the start of the 2016 season.
 

2016-17...20-62 
2017-18...28-54 
2018-19...42-40...playoffs 
2019-20...28-34

I mean no one is crying over the move, it’s just clear the players got tired of him, and the players call the shots.

Atkinson, though, still has a strong reputation, especially in developing young talent, and his name is already surfacing for the Knicks’ head coaching job.

Well, Jacque Vaughn was successful in his first game, the Nets defeating Chicago 110-107 this afternoon.

--Steph Curry, who finally returned on Thursday after missing the entire regular season (save for the first four games back in October), scored 23 points in 27 minutes in a loss to the Raptors, but sat out Saturday’s game against the 76ers with the flu.  The Warriors felt compelled to add in a statement that Curry had “no specific risk factors for COVID-19.  He has the seasonal flu.”  Phew.

So what does Golden State do?  They beat Philadelphia (38-26) 118-114 to improve to 15-49.
 

MLB

There is only one story in the New York area these days (outside Kenny Atkinson), the health status of Yankee outfielder Aaron Judge.  After doctors were unable to figure out for weeks why Judge came to spring training with a sore shoulder and pectoral muscle, Judge finally found out Friday that he won’t be ready for Open Day, and Judge is partially blaming himself...but far from totally.

It turns out the nagging shoulder/pec issue was really a stress fracture to his first right rib, and Judge is mad at himself for pushing hard throughout the offseason despite the pain. 

If Judge had opted for rest, he might be all the way healed by now instead of maybe halfway recovered from an injury that may take three to six months to heal!
 

“But me pissed about how the season ended last year and the changes I wanted to make, I went right back to it,” Judge said at his spring training locker late Friday.  “We’ve all been through pain, bumps and bruises.  In my head, I felt like it was something that I could fight through and I think that kind of cost me a little bit there.”

Judge also knows that there is another side to his saga.  The doctors didn’t diagnose it at first; this after the Yankees redid their training staff in the offseason after dealing with similar issues last year with Giancarlo Stanton, Luis Severino, Aaron Hicks and Dellin Betances, among others.

And now the training staff is under the spotlight all over again.  First, Severino’s early spring shoulder soreness turned into a UCL tear that led to season-ending Tommy John surgery, Stanton may not be ready for Opening Day, and now, who knows how long Judge will be out.

But, again, when it comes to Judge, he didn’t help himself, admitting, “Swinging and lifting during the offseason really didn’t give it a chance [to heal]….In my head I thought it was something I could fight through and it cost me.”

The thing is the injury goes back to a game last Sept. 18, as Judge made a diving attempt on a fly ball.  He grimaced when he got up, and the team later said that he had jammed his shoulder.  He kept playing through the ALCS.
 

But on Friday, Judge revealed that he had felt a “crack” and a “pop” on that play. With adrenaline flowing and the postseason coming up, Judge said he did not think much of the injury.  He passed a few tests (including an MRI), received “a couple shots” in the troubled area and kept hitting the field.

Over the course of the winter, though, the pain got worse and he was confused by its source.

[This just in, now catcher Gary Sanchez has back issues.]
 

--As I noted last time, it’s now official, Christian Yelich and the Brewers reached agreement on a seven-year, $187.25 million extension that, coupled with the two remaining years on his earlier seven-year contract signed in March 2015 with Miami, takes him through 2028 with Milwaukee.

Yelich is the perfect face for a franchise – a superstar on the field and off, and a leader in the clubhouse.

--Baseball America released its Top 100 MLB Prospects and for the second straight year, there is consensus among the staffers that Wander Franco of the Rays is No. 1.
 

The Rays also once again lead all teams with eight Top 100 prospects, followed by the Dodgers (7), Twins (6) and Padres (6).

Milwaukee is the only team without a Top 100 prospect.
 

The Yankees have three, the Mets and Phillies just two.

The Dodgers have at least four Top 100 prospects for the seventh straight year. Their 2016 class included Corey Seager, Cody Bellinger, Julio Urias, Alex Verdugo and Kenta Maeda. 

As Larry David would say, “Pretty, pretty good.”
 

By the way, 70 of the 100 are from the United States, 17 from the Dominican Republic.
 

--The Mets are making a nice move, announcing that they were retiring Jerry Koosman’s No. 36 before the June 13 game against Washington.
 

Koosman was 222-209, 3.36 ERA, lifetime; 140-137, 3.09 with the Mets, including 2-0, 2.04 in the ‘69 World Series triumph.  [4-0 overall in the postseason with the Mets.]
 

He is just the third player number retired by the team after Tom Seaver’s No. 41 in 1988 and Mike Piazza’s No. 31 in 2016.
 

Two of its managers also have their numbers retired: Casey Stengel’s No. 37 and Gil Hodges’ No. 14.

NFL

--ESPN is reporting that a number of NFL owners hope the proposed collective bargaining agreement being voted on by the players doesn’t pass, because they believe they can negotiate a better deal, with eyes on an 18-game season in the future, a league source told Jeremy Fowler.

The owners “feel they gave up too much on the economics.” 

Players have until 11:59 p.m. ET Thursday to cast their votes on the proposed CBA.  The CBA will pass if it receives a simple majority.  It would be in effect for the 2020 season, expanded playoffs, with a move to a 17-game schedule as early as 2021.  The deal would run through the 2030 season.

Players such as Aaron Rodgers, Richard Sherman and Maurkice Pouncey have staunchly opposed the deal, which increases revenue-sharing from 47% to 48.5% once the 17-game schedule kicks in, and raises the minimum salary.

But while some of the owners apparently don’t like giving up more revenue, they also don’t like the game-day roster increase from 46 to 48 players, and the expansion of the practice squad to 14 players in 2022.

But since minimum salaried players make up much of the NFL’s working body, and since those players would see significant salary increases under the new deal – second-year players rising from $495,000 to $675,000 next year, for example – it is expected the new deal will pass.

--Tom Brady and Bill Belichick had a phone call on Tuesday and according to the Boston Herald, it “didn’t go well.” 

The Titans, Raiders, Chargers, Buccaneers and perhaps the 49ers are among the potential suitors for Brady’s services. 

New England doesn’t want him to leave, but most reports have the Patriots just offering one year, and Brady wants two.
 

--When the Jets drafted defensive lineman Quinnen Williams out of Alabama with their first pick, third overall, in 2019, us fans got to see that he seemed like a great kid, bubbly personality, eager to help get the Jets over the hump and become a real force on ‘D’.  He then proceeded to have a highly-disappointing campaign, but the potential is there.
 

And then out of nowhere, he was arrested Thursday for allegedly possessing a gun at LaGuardia Airport, as he was about to catch a plane out of town.  Williams had a permit for it, but it was licensed in Alabama, and under New York law, you need a New York license.

The gun wasn’t loaded, but let’s just say this is disappointing.  I’m willing to cut him a break, though, once we hear his explanation.
 

Golf Balls

--The winds the first two Tour stops in Florida have been brutal and we’ve seen some high scores.  Brooks Koepka, who made the cut this week at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, Bay Hill, shot the highest score of his PGA Tour career on Saturday, a 9-over-par 81.  First-round leader Matt Every, who shot a 65 on Thursday, shot an 83 in the second round and missed the cut.
 

Saturday, sixty-nine players teed it up and only one (Max Homa) shot under par.  25 of them shot rounds of five-over or worse.
  
 

But Tyrrell Hatton, with a one-over 73, emerged in solo first heading into Sunday, leading Rory McIlroy and Mark Leishman by two.
 
 

And Hatton came through in a totally fascinating, ridiculously hard, fourth round; Hatton defeating Leishman by one for his first PGA Tour win.  The colorful lad from Britain is refreshing...wearing his emotions, and then some, on his sleeve with every shot.
 

Hatton finished –4, when the second-round lead was –7...to give you an idea of just how difficult it was this weekend, and the whole event.

On to Sawgrass and the TPC!

Among the others missing the cut this weekend...Phil Mickelson, Tony Finau, Adam Scott, Tommy Fleetwood and Jason Day (who withdrew in the second round).
 

And another who MC’d was Scott Piercy.
 

Piercy’s life has taken a turn for the worse.  On Monday, he created a meme on his Instagram account that was considered to be homophobic in nature about former Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg dropping out of the race.
 

On Tuesday, Piercy posted an apology via Instagram.  “Whenever I post my intent is never to offend.  I want to apologize if any of my recent story posts have been offensive.  I will do better!” he wrote. 

On Wednesday, Piercy was wearing a Titleist-logoed hat as part of the terms of his contract with the equipment manufacturer as he practiced for the tournament.  Thursday, he sported a black hat with a rose on it, which he said he bought on the Internet.  According to Piercy, it was the only hat that he had.
 

You see, Titleist dumped him overnight.  [Actually, Acushnet Co., Titleist’s parent did.]  Other sponsors are dumping Piercy as well.  All of us have to be so careful in today’s world before we press “send.”

--Phil W. passed on a tweet the other day from Curtis Strange, this weekend being Arnie’s tournament.
 

“Fav Arnold Palmer story. 1961 in NY 4 athlete of yr award. On way 2 dinner, Roger Maris says to AP, ‘What the f—k are you doing here?’  AP is angry but says nothing. Award is announced and AP wins.  On way 2 podium, AP passes Roger and leans down and whispers, ‘What the f—k are you doing here?’”

[I had to check Curtis’ facts and Maris won the AP Athlete of the Year for ‘61, but Arnie won the Hickok Belt, which was a big deal back then, in 1960, and it might have been awarded in early ‘61.  Maris was A.L. MVP in both ‘60 and ‘61.  Arnie was Sports Illustrated’s “Sportsman of the Year” in 1960 as well.]

--David P. reminded me of his Arnold Palmer story.  After shooting his best score on the local par-3 here in Summit when he was in like seventh grade, a course a bunch of us now play more than ever (beers afterward, of course), Dave sent the scorecard to Palmer and a short time later got it back, with a signed letter of congratulations from The King.

--With my mom growing up in the Latrobe, Pa., area (Greensburg), every time I went “home,” I was regaled with Arnold Palmer stories from all my relatives.  Mom was a huge fan, along with 84 million other women in the country who were in lust.
 

So in 1990, I took Mom to the U.S. Senior Open at Ridgewood CC, Paramus, to see him.  I made sure she was up front at a tee box and as was his wont, he of course made eye contact with everyone as he circled the box before his tee shot.  He half-glanced at me, then locked eyes on Mom for what seemed a full 3 seconds.  She melted.  [Wish I had remembered that story for her eulogy last fall.]
 

I have to admit, when the Golf Channel’s coverage today flipped over to NBC, I stayed with GC for a half hour to watch “Arnie & Me.”

--Bad news...Tiger Woods is missing next week’s Players Championship because of a back injury.
 

Woods hasn’t played since the Genesis Open three weeks ago when he made the cut but finished last, citing back stiffness. 

“I have to listen to my body and properly rest when needed,” Woods tweeted.  “My back is simply just not ready for play next week.”

There’s obvious cause for concern, Tiger having had four back surgeries and four knee operations, the last in August.

--Reminder, the U.S. Postal Service unveiled its Arnold Palmer stamp on Wednesday...and remember, it lasts “Forever,” so buy a couple hundred...or a ‘book,’ if you only plan to send ten more letters or cards out the rest of your life.
 

--And this note...the Arnold Palmer Cup, a challenge between U.S. and International college golfers, both men and women, is being held in July at my beloved Lahinch G.C. in County Clare, Ireland.
 

But I’ve been receiving notes from the club that the brutal Irish winter, with rain like ten times normal in parts, has done a number on Lahinch and all the links courses....think sand blowing on the fairways and greens.  Hope my boys can get it in shape by then.  [And hope coronavirus, now spreading on the Emerald Isle, isn’t an issue either.]

If you want a great picture of Lahinch and wonder why I’ve been there 21 times, check out arnoldpalmercup.com.
 

--I’m following the Latin American Tour event tonight as it winds down.  I’ll tell you why next time.  Potentially cool story.  It’s a little personal.  [No, nothing to do with Carlos Franco.]
 

NHL

--I’ve been getting fired up over the New York Rangers and their push for their playoffs, but then after signing veteran winger Chris Kreider to a major contract extension rather than trading him, Kreider immediately broke his foot and the Rangers lost their first three without him.

But then they had an incredibly dramatic 6-5 overtime win over the Capitals at the Garden on Thursday, and despite their struggles they were only two points out of the final playoff slot.
 

Budding superstar Mika Zibanejad had a franchise-tying 5 goals for the Blueshirts, including the game-winner in OT, one of just four with 5 goals in a game this century, Zibanejad also joining Sergei Fedorov (12-26-1996) as the only players with 5 goals including an OT winner (since 1983-84).  [Alex Ovechkin had two goals for the Caps, adding to the excitement of the contest.]

So Saturday, rookie goalie sensation Igor Shesterkin returned in net for the Rangers, just two weeks after fracturing a rib in an auto accident, New York hosting the Devils, and let’s just say, the Rangers and Shesterkin may have rushed it a bit, Igor allowing five goals before being relieved, New Jersey prevailing 6-4, just his second loss in 11 starts.

[Zibanejad scored a goal in the first period yesterday, his 39th of the season, 15th in 11 games.  He is fifth in the league in goals scored, Boston’s David Pastrnak first with 48, followed by Ovechkin with 47.]

--We note the passing of Hockey Hall of Famer Henri Richard, the “Pocket Rocket,” who won a league-record 11 Stanley Cups.  Richard died after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease at the age of 84.
 

Richard, a center, spent his entire 20-year career with the Montreal Canadiens and was the captain from 1971 to 1975. 

Richard holds the franchise record for games played (1,258) and is ranked third in assists (688) and points (1,046).  He recorded 358 regular-season goals before retiring after the 1974-75 season.   He added 129 points in 180 playoff games.
 

Premier League

--Saturday, Liverpool is now three wins away from the Premier League title after a 2-1 win over Bournemouth, James Milner with a brilliant goal-line clearance my brother, Liverpool fan, made sure I saw.

Arsenal defeated West Ham 1-0 as the Gunners continue their much-improved play.

My Tottenham Spurs managed only a 1-1 draw with Burnley.
 

Today, Chelsea blitzed Everton 4-0 to help secure the fourth spot, while Man U upset Man City in its Derby, completing a sweep over City for the first time in a decade.  Good on United and manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who has had a tough year, but his boys are playing their best down the stretch.
 

Standings after 28/29 of 38....Games / Points....

1. Liverpool 29 – 82  
2. Man City 28 – 57  
3. Leicester City 28 – 50  
4. Chelsea 29 – 48  
5. Man U 29 – 45  
6. Wolves 29 – 45  
7. Sheffield 28 – 43  
8. Tottenham 29 – 41  
9. Arsenal 28 – 40

Relegation Battle

 

16. West Ham 29 – 27 … -15 goal differential 
17. Watford 29 – 27  … -17 
18. Bournemouth 29 – 27 … -18 
19. Aston Villa 27 – 25 … -18 
20. Norwich 29 - 21

Yes, a real tension convention developing to avoid going down, fan bases on edge, drinking heavily.

--Meanwhile, the coronavirus is doing a number on the European leagues, with Italy’s Serie A contests played this weekend without crowds, and in France’s Ligue 1, while the game between No. 1 Paris St-Germain and Strasbourg, scheduled for Saturday, was postponed, the first top flight game in the country to be called off, with over 600 having tested positive for the virus by Friday when the decision was made.
 

Stuff

--Coronavirus has been wreaking havoc on the Alpine World Cup circuit, but next week, the women are in Are, Sweden, and Mikaela Shiffrin is making her return there, after the death of her father.

Shiffrin turns 25 on March 13 and she told the New York Times’ Bill Pennington that the last month has been a whirlwind.
 

“We really haven’t started the grieving process,” she said.  “We are sort of existing.”
 

Mikaela told Pennington the story of the day she and her mother, Eileen, her frequent traveling companion on the Cup circuit, learned that her dad had had a serious ‘incident’ back in Colorado.  Mikaela was training in Europe and it took them several hours to arrange a flight to Denver.  Imagine, the two had to drive five hours, ending up at Munich Airport, with all the emotions, standing in line waiting to board, when in the periphery of their vision they saw a tall man approaching them.
 

“Mikaela and I were holding hands, arm in arm, just in shock and shaking,” said Eileen, who feared they would be asked to talk about ski racing at an inopportune time.
 

It was Bode Miller, who was on the same flight.  He walked up wordlessly and hugged Mikaela.

While the family still refuses to discuss the details, a coroner ruled it an accident and listed the cause of death as a head injury.  It does seem Jeff was alive when Mikaela and her mother got to the hospital in Denver where he had been transported.

As for Bode, not knowing the seriousness of the situation, Eileen said, “(He) just saw us and could just tell something wasn’t right.  I mean, of all people.  Of all times.”
 

Remember.  It was in 2018 that Miller’s 19-month-old daughter, Emmy, accidentally drowned in a neighbor’s pool.  Five years earlier, Bode’s younger brother, Chelone, had died of an apparent seizure.

Aware that Miller and his wife, Morgan, have since become water safety advocates and have continued to grow their family, Mikaela called the chance meeting calming, even inspirational.  “She saw hope when all there had been was despair.” [Bill Pennington]

“Just seeing Bode right then,” Shiffrin said, “and he didn’t say anything at first, but it was like: No, it’s not OK, you’re not OK.  But in the same sense, it’s going to be OK.”
 

Here’s hoping Mikaela can find some peace back on the slopes.

--Modell’s Sporting Goods is preparing to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy as soon as today, Sunday, according to the New York Post. 

The 131-year-old athletic gear retailer has most of its 140 stores in the northeast, and CEO Mitch Modell blamed his company’s woes on “lousy” local sports teams that have depressed jersey sales. At the same time, he had asked building and mall owners to “dig deeper” and lower rents or at least defer them to help the retailer, which has 2,900 employees, avoid bankruptcy. 

But it is true that when the Mets, Jets, Giants and Knicks suck, jersey sales dry up. 

--This is bizarre, and more than scary.  “FBI” actor Derek Hedlund and his being cut by a crab, the aftermath of which was told to the New York Post’s Page Six.

Hedlund said that he was helping a buddy move a Jet Ski in Red Bank, NJ, in July when the crab clawed at his foot, leaving a tiny cut.  But...it turned out the water he was wading in was infected with the “flesh-eating bacteria” Vibrio.
 

Hedlund’s foot swelled up, and at one stage a doctor said to him, “You see this line on your leg?  That is the [vibriosis] spreading up your leg.  You can literally see it.”  Hedlund was told if it reached a certain point on his leg, they’d have to amputate it to save his life. 

So then while all this going on, he got a call for the second season of “FBI” and, against doctors’ orders, he discharged himself to attend a wardrobe fitting, showing up on crutches. 

To his horror, the script had him chasing “terrorists” through Central Park.  He said that while the shoot was excruciating, “I did what I needed to do, and I’m still alive.”

Top 3 songs for the week 3/12/77: #1 “Love Theme From ‘A Star Is Born’ (Evergreen)” (Barbra Streisand...ugh...)  #2 “Fly Like An Eagle” (Steve Miller)  #3 “I Like Dreamin’” (Kenny Nolan)...and...#4 “Night Moves” (Bob Seger)  #5 “Blinded By The Light” (Manfred Mann’s Earth Band)  #6 “Dancing Queen” (Abba)  #7 “Torn Between Two Lovers” (Mary MacGregor)  #8 “Year Of The Cat” (Al Stewart)  #9 “Rich Girl” (Daryl Hall & John Oates)  #10 “Go Your Own Way” (Fleetwood Mac...eh.... ‘C+’....there appears to be some disgust with my grading recently, and for the past six years...so I’m self-quarantining for two weeks...)
 

NCAA Basketball Quiz Answers: 2012-13 AP First Team, All-America.... 

Trey Burke, Michigan 
Doug McDermott, Creighton 
Victor Oladipo, Indiana 
Kelly Olynyk, Gonzaga 
Otto Porter, Georgetown
 

Doug McDermott was also first team in 2011-12 and 2013-14.

Next Bar Chat, Thursday.