Month: July 2020

RAPTORS RESTART TV SCHEDULE

RAPTORS ANNOUNCE BROADCAST SCHEDULE FOR RESTART OF 2019-20 SEASON

The Toronto Raptors announced Monday their broadcast schedule for the restart of the 2019-20 NBA season. Sportsnet and TSN will each carry four “seeding” games.

Sportsnet has the Raptors’ first game back Saturday, Aug. 1 against the Los Angeles Lakers. Additional contests on Sportsnet include Aug. 3 vs. Miami, Aug. 5 against Orlando and Aug. 10 vs. Milwaukee.

TSN will open its coverage Friday, Aug. 7 when the Raptors face Boston. TSN’s slate includes Aug. 9 vs. Memphis, Aug. 12 against Philadelphia and the Raptors’ final seeding game Aug. 14 vs. Denver.

Veteran play-by-play voice Matt Devlin will call all the action. Jack “The Coach” Armstrong will lend his expertise as the analyst on TSN telecasts with former NBA first-round draft pick Leo Rautins handling colour commentary on Sportsnet.

Sportsnet 590 The FAN, 680 News and TSN 1050 Toronto will be the radio home for Raptors broadcasts. Eric Smith will handle the play-by-play role for games on Sportsnet 590 The FAN and 680 News with Paul Jones serving as the analyst. For games on TSN 1050 Toronto, Jones will serve as the play-by-play voice with Armstrong and Sherman Hamilton sharing analyst duties. 

The Raptors will also compete in three inter-squad scrimmages in final preparation for the resumption of the season. TSN will carry two of the scrimmages – July 24 vs. Houston and July 28 against Phoenix, with Sportsnet broadcasting July 26 vs. Portland.

RAPTORS BROADCAST SCHEDULE FOR RESTART
DateOpponentVenueEastern TimeTV / RADIO
Saturday, Aug. 1vs. LA LakersArena8:30 p.m. (ESPN)Sportsnet ONE, Citytv / TSN 1050
Monday, Aug. 3at MiamiHP Field House1:30 p.m. (NBATV)Sportsnet ONE / Sportsnet 590 The FAN
Wednesday, Aug. 5at OrlandoVisa Athletic Center8 p.m.Sportsnet ONE / TSN 1050
Friday, Aug. 7vs. BostonArena9 p.m. (TNT)TSN / 680 News
Sunday, Aug. 9vs. MemphisVisa Athletic Center2 p.m.TSN / TSN 1050
Monday, Aug. 10at MilwaukeeHP Field House6:30 p.m. (ESPN)Sportsnet ONE / Sportsnet 590 The FAN
Wednesday, Aug. 12at PhiladelphiaHP Field House6:30 p.m. (ESPN)TSN / TSN 1050
Friday, Aug. 14vs. DenverTBDTBDTSN / Sportsnet 590 The FAN

RAPTORS SCRIMMAGE SCHEDULE
DateOpponentVenueEastern TimeTV / RADIO
Friday, July 24vs. HoustonArena7:30 p.m.TSN / TSN 1050
Sunday, July 26vs. PortlandVisa Athletic Center6 p.m.Sportsnet / TSN 1050
Tuesday, July 28vs. PhoenixArena3 p.m.TSN / TBD

-RAPTORS-

CNN Adds Bob Costas to Contributor Roster — Variety

Bob Costas, the sportscaster who narrated World Series games, boxing matches and NBC’s Olympics telecasts and elevated his commentary to include politics and culture, is joining CNN as a contributor, the cable-news outlet announced Monday. He is expected to offer perspective on sports issues as that industry grapples with the coronavirus pandemic and a range…

CNN Adds Bob Costas to Contributor Roster — Variety

NFL players plead with league to address health, safety concerns — Daily News

NFL players are publicly pleading with the league to address several health and safety concerns on the eve of training camp. The league informed teams on Saturday that training camps will open on time even though discussions with the players’ union regarding testing for the coronavirus and other health and safety protocols are ongoing. Rookies…

NFL players plead with league to address health, safety concerns — Daily News

Gregg Popovich Delivers Powerful Statement Following John Lewis’ Death — NESN.com

Gregg Popovich isn’t one to shy away from social issues, especially in terms of civil rights. So, naturally, the death of United States representative and civil rights icon John Lewis struck a chord with the San Antonio Spurs’ head coach. Popovich released a powerful statement about the late congressman Sunday morning. “(Lewis has) been such…

Gregg Popovich Delivers Powerful Statement Following John Lewis’ Death — NESN.com

Gregg Popovich isn’t one to shy away from social issues, especially in terms of civil rights. So, naturally, the death of United States representative and civil rights icon John Lewis struck a chord with the San Antonio Spurs’ head coach.

Popovich released a powerful statement about the late congressman Sunday morning.

“(Lewis has) been such an iconic figure for so long. It’s hard not to feel the loss of somebody who has been so important for our country. He’s a rare combination of an abundance of courage, and at the same time, amazing humility,” Popovich said Sunday, via ESPN’s Marc J. Spears.

“Nothing was ever about him. It was always about the work that he wanted to do to try to make this nation live up to its promises. And that — I always felt — was really special about him. He was always hopeful. He was always ready for the fight — in a good way. He pushed America. He pushed white privilege. Kind of ironic that white privilege and white supremacy kept those promises from being fully realized. And he — who was downtrodden — made sure that he never gave up and continued to push this country in the right direction. “So, he — along with many others obviously — he was one of those special people that now that he is gone, you really feel an absence — an absence of decency, an absence of righteous effort for justice for everybody. And hopefully we can move on in a way that honors what he did his whole life. You know, the opposite of what is going on now with the gutting of the Voting Rights Act. So all those politicians that are praising Congressman Lewis on the one hand are the same people that are willing to gut the Voting Rights Act that he worked so hard for. That, I think, is disgusting.”

Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich on the passing of Civil Rights Icon and Congressman John Lewis. pic.twitter.com/X1cNZOgS75 — Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) July 19, 2020 Well said. Lewis, 80, had battled pancreatic cancer in the six months before his death. More NBA: Doc Rivers Reveals Powerful Interaction With John Lewis Thumbnail photo via Brad Penner/USA TODAY Sports Images

Read more at: https://nesn.com/2020/07/gregg-popovich-delivers-powerful-statement-following-john-lewis-death/

Athletics Release Ryan Goins — The baseball bats fanatic

The Athletics announced they’ve released infielder Ryan Goins. The 32-year-old had been in the A’s Summer Camp player pool after joining the organization on a minor-league deal over the offseason. Goins is most well-known for his time with the Blue Jays from 2013-17. Over that stretch, he logged pretty significant playing time in the middle infield. […]

Athletics Release Ryan Goins — The baseball bats fanatic

Jaylen Brown Is Considering Leaving Back Of Jersey Blank As Statement — NESN.com

As part of its initiative to focus on racial inequality during its return, the NBA is allowing its players to replace the names on the back of their jerseys with messages for social justice. But not just any message. It has to be one from an approved list of 29 different statements, and many players…

Jaylen Brown Is Considering Leaving Back Of Jersey Blank As Statement — NESN.com

Angels’ new slugger Anthony Rendon still dealing with oblique issue — Press Telegram

ANAHEIM — Anthony Rendon remains out with an oblique issue, and although he’s still listed as day to day, Joe Maddon isn’t ready to assume his star third baseman will be ready for next Friday’s opener. “I want to believe he’s gonna be ready (for opening day) but if not, we’re gonna have to have…

Angels’ new slugger Anthony Rendon still dealing with oblique issue — Press Telegram

Morton will start opening day against the Blue Jays — Tampa Bay Pro Sports

The Rays are slowly getting healthy and getting some key pieces back with the season opener less than one week away. Outfielder Austin Meadows who has been seen at Tropicana Field the last few days was put on the DL by the Rays as he recovers from COVID. Meadows is just waiting to be cleared […]

Morton will start opening day against the Blue Jays — Tampa Bay Pro Sports

Kevin Cash also announced today that Charlie Morton will get the opening day start. Morton went 16-6 a year ago with a 3.05 ERA. Morton finished third in the voting for the Cy Young award.

Cash also the Rays will start with 16 pitchers on the roster while they build up their endurance and will go with 14 position players.

Doc Rivers Reveals Powerful Interaction With John Lewis Amid NBA Career — NESN.com

It was a sad day in the United States on Saturday following the death of congressman and civil rights icon John Lewis late Friday night. Clippers head coach Doc Rivers took the news particularly hard, recognizing the late Georgia politician before Los Angeles’ practice Saturday. “Really sad day for our country,” an emotional Rivers said,…

Doc Rivers Reveals Powerful Interaction With John Lewis Amid NBA Career — NESN.com

It was a sad day in the United States on Saturday following the death of congressman and civil rights icon John Lewis late Friday night.

Clippers head coach Doc Rivers took the news particularly hard, recognizing the late Georgia politician before Los Angeles’ practice Saturday.

“Really sad day for our country,” an emotional Rivers said, via the team. “What’s amazing is when you think of right now, some of the stuff that John Lewis was fighting for, we’re still fighting for. Voter suppression right now is at an all-time high.

“It’s amazing how hard we have a group of people who are trying to get people not to vote. Latinos, Blacks and young people are the targets. That’s what they are trying to get not to vote. It’s amazing when you think about how long ago that was and yet we are still fighting that fight.”

Much of what Lewis fought for has resonated with Rivers throughout his life. The 58-year-old recalled a time he crossed paths with Lewis early in his NBA career, a moment he says he’ll never forget.

More NBA: Seeing LeBron James In Bubble Reminds Kemba Walker Of His Amateur Days

“I’ll tell you a quick story,” Rivers said. “I was young, I was playing for the (Atlanta) Hawks, and I got to know Andy Young really well, and Andrew was running for governor, and I went on a campaign trip with John Lewis and Andy Young. Just think about that, I was a — I don’t know, 26 maybe, 27. I don’t know how old I was. And we flew to Albany, Georgia, of all places, and Andrew Young gave a speech at an all-white church, and he was fantastic. It was an absolutely amazing speech. The crowd was going crazy.

“We get on the plane, and we’re talking, and Andrew Young turns to me and said — he used to call me Young Doc. He says, ‘Young Doc, what did you think about the speech?’ and I jokingly said, ‘Well, Mr. Young, I thought the speech was great, but I don’t think you’re getting one vote from that church.’ And everybody started laughing. John Lewis piped in and says, ‘Well, we’re not trying to get all of them, we’re just trying to get one at a time, and eventually it will be all of them.’ I thought that was just one powerful statement.”

.@DocRivers remembers John Lewis. pic.twitter.com/wHGmQDGgpm

— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) July 18, 2020

Lewis, 80, died after a six-month battle with pancreatic cancer.

Celtics’ Jayson Tatum Is Confident, And That’s Not Good For Rest Of NBA — NESN.com

A confident Jayson Tatum is a dangerous Jayson Tatum. While the Boston Celtics forward had his hot streak put on ice due to the coronavirus pandemic, it seems he’s hasn’t forgotten about it. Now, Tatum knows what he can do and it seems he’s brought that mindset to Orlando, Fla. for the NBA restart. “Whether…

Celtics’ Jayson Tatum Is Confident, And That’s Not Good For Rest Of NBA — NESN.com

BLUE JAYS STATEMENT

media@bluejays.com | bluejayspressbox.com | @BlueJays

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Toronto, Ontario

July 18, 2020

BLUE JAYS STATEMENT ON 2020 SEASON HOME

The Toronto Blue Jays extend its sincerest thanks to Mayor Tory, the City of Toronto, and Toronto Public Health; Premier Ford, the Province of Ontario, and the Chief Medical Officer of Health; and Deputy Prime Minister Freeland, the Government of Canada, and the Public Health Agency of Canada, for their detailed consideration and partnership throughout this process.

“From the onset of discussions with league and government officials, the safety of the broader community– our fans – and the team remained the priority of everyone involved, and with that, the club completely respects the federal government’s decision,” said Mark Shapiro, President & CEO, Toronto Blue Jays. “Though our team will not be playing home games at Rogers Centre this summer, our players will take the field for the 2020 season with the same pride and passion representative of an entire nation. We cannot wait until the day comes that we can play in front of our fans again on Canadian soil.”

The club is in the process of finalizing the best home location for the remainder of the 2020 season and will share an update as soon as it is available.  

– BLUE JAYS –