Month: May 2020

LeBron James Trained For NFL During 2011 NBA Lockout, Received Contract — NESN.com

Could LeBron James actually have taken his talents to the NFL? While the thought may have ran its course in years past, the Los Angeles Lakers superstar admitted the rumors actually were true. James, speaking on his own brand’s “Uninterrupted” podcast on Monday, explained that he did begin to “train to be a football player”…

LeBron James Trained For NFL During 2011 NBA Lockout, Received Contract — NESN.com

Could LeBron James actually have taken his talents to the NFL? While the thought may have ran its course in years past, the Los Angeles Lakers superstar admitted the rumors actually were true. James, speaking on his own brand’s “Uninterrupted” podcast on Monday, explained that he did begin to “train to be a football player” during the 2011 NBA lockout, which lasted 161 days from July to December. “To be honest, it actually was. I had no idea how long the lockout was going to be and myself and my trainer, Mike Mancias, we really started to actually train to be a football player when it came to like October and November,” James said. “We started to clock our times with the 40s. We started to add more to the bench presses and things of that nature. We started to add more sledding to our agenda with our workouts. “The thoughts came into my mind, the thoughts came into my mind,” James added. “But never having the ability to finish my high school career of playing like my senior year, I have dreams all the time of playing football.”

Read more at: https://nesn.com/2020/05/lebron-james-trained-for-nfl-during-2011-nba-lockout-received-contract/

Bartolo Colon wants to play one more season — HardballTalk | NBC Sports

If Bartolo Colon, soon 47 years old, had his way, he would finish out his career pitching one more season with the New York Mets.

Bartolo Colon wants to play one more season — HardballTalk | NBC Sports

Pitcher Bartolo Colon turns 47 on Sunday, but he still has the drive to compete in Major League Baseball. He told ESPN’s Marly Rivera he wants to pitch one more season in the majors, ideally with the Mets.

Colon has pitched in the majors for parts of 21 seasons with 11 different teams. He spent 2014-16 with the Mets, helping the club reach the World Series in ’15. Colon said, “If it was up to me, I would retire with the Mets. I would like my career to end in New York.”

The veteran did not pitch in 2019, coming off a disappointing ’18 campaign with the Rangers. He made 24 starts and four relief appearances, posting a 5.78 ERA with 81 strikeouts and 25 walks over 146 1/3 innings. It does not seem like the Mets have room in the rotation for Colon, even after losing Noah Syndergaard to Tommy John surgery. If the season were to start today, the rotation would feature Jacob deGrom, Marcus Stroman, Rick Porcello, Steven Matz, and Michael Wacha.

Colon has built something of a cult following in the late stages of his career due to his age and atypical body. Syndergaard dubbed him “Big Sexy.” He could be generously described as a fringe Hall of Fame candidate, currently sitting on 247 wins and 2,535 strikeouts. He has a 4.12 ERA and 47.8 Wins Above Replacement, per Baseball Reference, over 3,461 2/3 innings.

Coronavirus: Pro sports could return in California by June, Gov. Gavin Newsom says — Times-Standard

Rejoice, sports fans, their return to California may not be far off. Well, maybe. Gov. Gavin Newsom said the state is eyeing the first week of June to begin to allow live pro sporting events, as well as “a number of other sectors” of the economy, “if we hold these trend lines.” But upon being…

Coronavirus: Pro sports could return in California by June, Gov. Gavin Newsom says — Times-Standard

Horse racing people pleased with news that Queen’s Plate will run on Sept.12 — Toronto Sun

The Queen’s Plate will be served up on Saturday Sept.12. Read More

Horse racing people pleased with news that Queen’s Plate will run on Sept.12 — Toronto Sun

The Queen’s Plate will be served up on Saturday Sept.12.

North America’s oldest continuously run horse race was originally scheduled to take place on June 27 but was postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, with the Ontario government last week announcing a framework to gradually reopen the province, Woodbine Entertainment set a plan in motion to start thoroughbred race — without spectators — on June 6 at Woodbine Racetrack in Etobicoke (and June 5 for harness racing at Woodbine Mohawk in Milton).

The Victoria Day announcement that the $1 million Queen’s Plate will be run this year comes as welcome news for action-starved horse players, not to mention those in the racing industry.

“The history of The Queen’s Plate is so rich and the fact that it’s been held every year since the inaugural race in 1860 is remarkable,” said Woodbine Entertainment CEO Jim Lawson. “We are honoured to be able to continue this rich history in face of adversity by hosting the race for the 161st consecutive year.”

As part of the preparations for The Queen’s Plate, the Woodbine Oaks presented by Budweiser and The Plate Trial will be held on Saturday, August 15. WE’s full thoroughbred stakes schedule is expected to be announced on May 20.

The Woodbine backstretch has remained open for essential workers throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and last week jockeys were allowed back on site to breeze horses. Timed training and gate training has also started at the track.

All the activities at the backstretch are being conducted with strict safety protocols in place, such as the wearing of face masks, social distancing and having everyone’s temperature taken when they arrive at the track.

Kemba Walker Reveals What He Learned From Michael Jordan In Charlotte — NESN.com

Kemba Walker spent eight seasons with the Charlotte Hornets. So naturally, he learned quite a bit from owner Michael Jordan. The Boston Celtics star blossomed in Charlotte, going from 12.1 to 25.6 points per game in nearly a decade with the squad. Walker says he learned a lot from Jordan during his first several seasons…

Kemba Walker Reveals What He Learned From Michael Jordan In Charlotte — NESN.com

Clippers plan to reopen practice facility Monday for voluntary workouts — Press Telegram

The Clippers announced Sunday evening that they will be the latest NBA team to reopen their practice facility on a limited basis, opening the doors at the Honey Training Center in Playa Vista on Monday for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic suspended the NBA season March 11 and subsequently shuttered team practice facilities.…

Clippers plan to reopen practice facility Monday for voluntary workouts — Press Telegram

Miles Bridges Responds To Michael Jordan’s (Old) One-On-One Challenge — NESN.com

Miles Bridges may have taken the long-standing bait from one of the NBA’s best-ever trash talkers. The Charlotte Hornets forward responded to a five-year-old comment from team owner and NBA legend Michael Jordan, when Jordan said he was “pretty sure” he could beat players on his team in a game of one-on-one. Jordan even threw…

Miles Bridges Responds To Michael Jordan’s (Old) One-On-One Challenge — NESN.com

Who’ll Take the Throne from LeBron? Can Kawhi Leonard Rule Next Decade? — Lakerholics

As the reigning Finals MVP and a two-time NBA champion, Kawhi Leonard is another superstar whom, like Giannis Antetokounmpo, certain analysts believe has now passed LeBron James as the best player in the NBA.

Who’ll Take the Throne from LeBron? Can Kawhi Leonard Rule Next Decade? — Lakerholics

Preakness set for Oct. 3, fate of Belmont still undecided — nyob.news

Two-thirds of thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown now have rescheduled race dates. It just remains to be seen when the New York Racing Association will attempt to conduct the 152nd running of the Belm.

Preakness set for Oct. 3, fate of Belmont still undecided — nyob.news

144th Running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course on May 18, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland.  Credit: Getty Images/Rob Carr

Two-thirds of thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown now have rescheduled race dates.

It just remains to be seen when the New York Racing Association will attempt to conduct the 152nd running of the Belmont Stakes, typically the final leg of the series. For now, it is still scheduled for June 6, though NYRA has postponed the start of the spring/summer meet at Belmont Park in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Saturday was supposed to be the 145th running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. Instead, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan announced on NBC that the race is now scheduled for Oct. 3.

The Kentucky Derby, typically Triple Crown’s first leg, had already been re-scheduled for Sept. 5 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky instead of the 146th running taking place on May 2 as originally planned.

Some clarity on the Belmont Stakes is expected soon.

On Friday, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced horse racing could resume in New York state – without fans in the grandstands – on June 1.

NYRA president and CEO Dave O’Rourke released a statement on Friday applauding Gov. Cuomo’s decision and indicating, “NYRA will announce race dates and a corresponding stakes schedule for the 2020 spring/summer meet at Belmont Park in the very near future.”

“This is a reasoned and responsible decision by Governor Cuomo that will enable horse racing to resume in a way that prioritizes health and safety while recognizing that NYRA is the cornerstone of an industry responsible for 19,000 jobs and $3 billion in annual economic impact,” O’Rourke said. “We look forward to the resumption of live racing at Belmont Park with all appropriate health and safety protocols in place to support the hundreds of small businesses, family-owned farms and thousands of hourly workers who form the backbone of thoroughbred racing in New York.”Subscribe to Sports Now newsletter

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NYRA continued to conduct racing without fans at Aqueduct from March 13-15 before announcing on March 19 it was suspending its meet.

However, work has continued at Belmont Park, just without the live racing.

Around 1,400 horses are currently on the 440-acre property with about 800 backstretch workers maintaining the horses’ training regimens.

NYRA officials have sent a detailed proposal to Gov. Cuomo as to how racing can resume – quickly – without a live audience.

“NYRA has developed a comprehensive safety plan that builds on our experience of operating training safely and responsibly during the pandemic, and includes extensive protocols to keep our community safe,” O’Rourke said.

Agent seeks Zion Williamson’s answers on improper benefits — FOX 46 Charlotte

AP — The marketing agent who has sued NBA rookie Zion Williamson wants the former Duke star to answer questions about whether he received improper benefits before playing his lone season with the Blue Devils. Prime Sports Marketing and company president Gina Ford filed a lawsuit last summer in a Florida court, accusing Williamson and the agency […]

Agent seeks Zion Williamson’s answers on improper benefits — FOX 46 Charlotte

Preston Tucker wins car after hitting homer in KBO League — HardballTalk | NBC Sports

Outfielder Preston Tucker of the Kia Tigers won a Kia Sorento when he hit a ball that landed in the “Home Run Zone” on Sunday.

Preston Tucker wins car after hitting homer in KBO League — HardballTalk | NBC Sports

Former MLB outfielder Preston Tucker has gotten off to a blazing hot start in the KBO League. Entering Sunday’s action, Tucker was hitting .475/.543/.925 with four home runs and 19 RBI in 46 plate appearances.
Tucker kept up the hot hitting on Sunday and won himself a car in the process. Per MLB.com’s Alex Fast, Tucker’s fifth home run — a solo shot to lead off the bottom of the fourth inning — hit the “Home Run Zone” just beyond the fence in right-center field at Kia Challengers Field. There, a Kia Sorento perches on a small platform. Tucker’s blast appeared to strike the roof of the car. Players who homer into the “Home Run Zone” win the car as a prize.



Preston Tucker won a Kia Sorento today.

He’s currently tied for the HR lead in the KBO with 5.



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The blast was not enough, however, as Tucker’s Tigers lost to the Doosan Bears 6-4. The homer was Tucker’s only hit on the afternoon.
Tucker, 29, spent parts of three seasons in Major League Baseball from 2015-18 with the Astros, Braves, and Reds. In total, he hit .222/.281/.403 with 23 home runs and 68 RBI in 651 trips to the plate.