O's GM 'working as rapidly as I can' to turn team around

O's GM 'working as rapidly as I can' to turn team around

Underperformance since the middle of last season was the reason Orioles general manager Mike Elias provided Tuesday for firing Brandon Hyde as manager three days earlier. Making his first public comments since making the move, Elias said the team was starting to run out of time for a turnaround. Baltimore entered Tuesday's matchup vs. the Milwaukee Brewers 16 games under .500 (15-31) and in last place in the AL East. They also entered Tuesday on a seven-game losing streak. "I'm working to fix this as rapidly as I can, and I'm in a position where regardless of how it affects me or my personal situation, I have to make decisions that I judge, in collaboration with my bosses ... to be in the best interest of the Baltimore Orioles," Elias said Tuesday prior to the game in Milwaukee. Hyde led the Orioles to the American League East title in 2023, winning 101 games in the process. But Baltimore was eliminated from the playoffs early (ALDS), then suffered the same fate in 2024 (AL wild card) and lost ace Corbin Burnes via free agency to the Arizona Diamondbacks. "This is deeply disappointing to me, and I'm doing everything in my power to correct and improve it," Elias said. Baltimore won 192 games the past two seasons but zero playoff games. Third base coach Tony Mansolino was promoted to replace Hyde, but the results Elias admits he was seeking by making the abrupt change had yet to develop. Baltimore lost its first three games after Hyde was fired by a run differential of minus-11. Orioles pitchers surrendered a league-worst 72 home runs and ranked ahead of only the Colorado Rockies in team ERA at 5.53 through their first 46 games. "This is a team that we feel collectively and individually is underperforming its talent level," he said. "We want something new in order to hopefully restore again to the level that we expect of ourselves." --Field Level Media

byKevin Jones

in

May 20, 2025

O's GM 'working as rapidly as I can' to turn team around

O's GM 'working as rapidly as I can' to turn team around Underperformance since the middle of last season was the reason Orioles...

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Tennessee's Zakai Zeigler files lawsuit against NCAA, challenging redshirt rule for fifth year of eligibility

Tennessee's Zakai Zeigler files lawsuit against NCAA, challenging redshirt rule for fifth year of eligibility

Zakai Zeiglerfinished his athletic eligibility atTennesseewith the end of the Volunteers' 2024-25 men's basketball season. However, the guard hasfiled a lawsuitagainst the NCAA seeking a fifth year of eligibility. Zeigler has already played four seasons for Tennessee and didn't begin his college career until 2021, one year after the 2020-21 class that was allowed one more year of eligibility lost during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the lawsuit, filed in the Eastern District Court of Tennessee, Zeigler is seeking a preliminary injunction that would allow him to play the 2025-26 season. He is challenging the NCAA rule that an athlete has four years of eligibility within a five-year window. Zeigler, 22, isn't allowed an opportunity to earn NIL money for a fifth year because he's used up all of his eligibility. As the lawsuit argues, that deprives him of a fifth year, "the most lucrative year of the eligibility window for the vast majority of athletes." How lucrative? The lawsuit argues that Zeigler could earnbetween $2 million and $4 millionin a fifth year based on his record of success and visibility playing in the SEC. Those figures are projections from the Spyre Sports Group, which facilitates Tennessee's NIL collective. Athletes who receive a redshirt are allowed a fifth year of eligibility, which gives them one more year to earn NIL income. A freshman who was redshirted, for example, would still be able to earn NIL money even if he or she doesn't play. the man with the bag17 PTS / 15 AST for Zakai Zeiglerpic.twitter.com/W4chySItgR — Tennessee Basketball (@Vol_Hoops)December 24, 2024 As the filing,the documents of which were posted onlineby Boise State professor Sam Ehrlich, reads: "Many players, however, do compete in the fifth year of their eligibility window. And they can earn NIL compensation for all five of those years. Had Zeigler been withheld from competing in sports during one of those four years, perhaps by redshirting, the NCAA rules would permit him to participate again next year. And this is true even if he would have slowed his academic progress and taken five years to graduate." Zeigler graduated in May, majoring in retail and merchandising management, and would pursue a graduate degree during a fifth year of eligibility. This is different from the lawsuitVanderbiltquarterbackDiego Paviafiled against the NCAA, claiming that he should beallowed a fifth year of eligibilitybecause he played his first two years for New Mexico Military Institute, a junior college. In December, Pavia wasgranted an injunctionallowing him to play the 2025 college football season. Last season with the Vols, the 5-foot-9 Zeigler averaged 13.6 points, 7.4 assists and 1.9 steals while shooting 32% on 122 3-point attempts. He was named a third-team All-American, and won first-team All-SEC and SEC defensive player of the year honors for two consecutive seasons. The Volunteers finished 30-8, 12-6 in the SEC, and advanced to the NCAA tournament's Elite Eightbefore losing to Houston. Zeigler holds the Tennessee single-season (275) and career (747) records for assists, and career steals with 251.

byKevin Jones

in

May 20, 2025

Tennessee's Zakai Zeigler files lawsuit against NCAA, challenging redshirt rule for fifth year of eligibility

Tennessee's Zakai Zeigler files lawsuit against NCAA, challenging redshirt rule for fifth year of eligibility Zakai Zeiglerfinished his ...

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Boone brothers square off at Yankee Stadium in latest family affair

Boone brothers square off at Yankee Stadium in latest family affair

NEW YORK (AP) — Now into their 50s, the Boone brothers are still meeting at the ballpark. For the first time in two decades, New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone squared off against his older sibling on a big league field Tuesday night when the Texas Rangers came to town for the opener of a three-game series between the past two American League champions. Bret Boone was hired May 5 as a hitting coach for the Rangers, his first job on a major league staff. Aaron Boone is in his eighth season as the Yankees' skipper. "It hasn't happened for us yet in this kind of capacity. So, certainly good to see him," Aaron Boone said Tuesday afternoon. "I'm sure I'll peek over there at some point during the game and see what his act looks like." Prior to the first pitch at Yankee Stadium, the Boone brothers brought the lineup cards to home plate and posed for photos with the umpires. They had dinner together Monday night, a day off for each team, and both were excited about having their children at the game — helping to make this week a true family affair. "He actually paid the bill last night. So that's new," Bret Boone, 56, said with a grin in the Texas dugout. "It was nice. We don't get to see each other much. Last time I saw Aaron was Christmas and he came to San Diego. I might pop in Anaheim. So it was good. It's good catching up and, you know, there's a little more baseball talk, but it's more to see my nieces and nephews." Both All-Star infielders, the Boone brothers were teammates with the Cincinnati Reds from 1997-98 and played 24 games against each other in the majors. The last one was April 24, 2005, when Aaron Boone homered for Cleveland in a 9-1 loss at Seattle. Bret Boone went 0 for 3 with a sacrifice fly. "He's very competitive. I'm very competitive when it comes to this. I don't treat it differently," Bret Boone said. "Once all the fun stuff is kind of over, it's kind of business." Aaron Boone, 52, recalled boxing against his older brother in the house when they were young kids growing up in a baseball family. "He was a great big brother, especially when we were little. Four years older than me, he (dragged) me with him a lot," the New York manager said. "So, I always say a lot of my athletic development, I give him a lot of credit because when I was 4, 5, 6, 8 years old, I was playing and had to keep up with 12-year-olds. And it was either keep up or get stomped. So, I'm pretty appreciative of that. He always kind of took me with him." Their grandfather Ray and father Bob were both All-Star players in the majors, making the Boones the first family to produce three generations of big leaguers. Bob Boone also managed the Reds and Kansas City Royals. With that lineage in mind, Aaron Boone thinks his older brother is well suited for his new job. "He's in such a good place in his life," the younger Boone said. "I think he'll be a really steadying force for those guys and I think he has a lot to offer them. Look, he's got tremendous baseball knowledge. He's been in the game forever. He's passionate about it. But I think he'll have a really good presence with those guys." ___ Freelance writer Larry Fleisher contributed to this report. ___ AP MLB:https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

byKevin Jones

in

May 20, 2025

Boone brothers square off at Yankee Stadium in latest family affair

Boone brothers square off at Yankee Stadium in latest family affair NEW YORK (AP) — Now into their 50s, the Boone brothers are still meeting...

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Friend Charged with Giving Alcohol to Underage Pittsburgh Pirates Fan Before 21-Foot Fall from Outfield Wall

Friend Charged with Giving Alcohol to Underage Pittsburgh Pirates Fan Before 21-Foot Fall from Outfield Wall

Joe Sargent/Getty A 21-year-old man has been charged with providing alcohol to the underage Pirates fan who fell on the field on April 30 Authorities say security footage shows the man purchasing two tall cans of beer Kavan Markwood, the fan who fell, sustained injuries to his skull, brain, spine, both sides of his ribs and his lungs A 21-year-old has been charged with supplying alcohol to theunderage Pirates fanwhofell onto the fieldat PNC Park last month. According to court documents obtained and reviewed by PEOPLE, Ethan Kirkwood is being charged with two misdemeanor counts of furnishing liquor to a minor just beforeKavan Markwood's fallover the top of a 21-foot outfield wallon April 30. Authorities also claim security video shows Kirkwood purchasing two 24-ounce cans of beer around the start of the Pirates game, according toABCandCBS, and additional footage shows both Kirkwood and Markwood holding the beers during the game. Kirkwood is also apparently seen on surveillance video returning to the bar at PNC Park to purchase two more beers before Markwood's fall onto the field. GoFundMe As he was being questioned by authorities about the incident, Kirkwood admitted to purchasing alcohol for Markwood before the fall, the complaint alleges, according to ABC and CBS. Kirkwood will return to court for a preliminary hearing in the case on June 23. Markwood's fall occurred in the seventh inning of the Pirates win over the Chicago Cubs on April 30.In videos of the incident, Markwood appeared to lean over the railing while cheering for the Pirates after they hit a double and proceeded to fall 21 feet down onto the field. Allegheny General Hospital Chief Medical Officer Dr. Al Philp gave an update on Markwood's condition on May 7, confirming the baseball fan sustained injuries to his skull, brain, spine, both sides of his ribs and his lungs, according toCBS Pittsburgh. Although Philp noted that it will take time for Markwood to heal, he said he has "progressed really, really well." Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. "He's at a point now where he's off the breathing machine, he's out of the intensive care unit, and he's preparing to move to the next step, which will be physical therapy rehab. Seeing him recover so quickly has really been gratifying, frankly, ahead of schedule from what we would have anticipated given the real severity of his injuries," Philp continued. Markwood gave his first interviewto thePittsburgh Tribune-Reviewon May 7, where he said he felt "alright," but also like he had "broken everything." He told the news outlet that he "can't really sleep" and has a "lot of back pain." Read the original article onPeople

byKevin Jones

in

May 20, 2025

Friend Charged with Giving Alcohol to Underage Pittsburgh Pirates Fan Before 21-Foot Fall from Outfield Wall

Friend Charged with Giving Alcohol to Underage Pittsburgh Pirates Fan Before 21-Foot Fall from Outfield Wall Joe Sargent/Getty A 21-year-old...

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Mendoza: Frustration may have played a role in Juan Soto's lack of hustle on base hit

Mendoza: Frustration may have played a role in Juan Soto's lack of hustle on base hit

BOSTON (AP) — Mets manager Carlos Mendoza wouldn't get into specifics on any conversion he had with slugger Juan Soto after a lack of hustle left him with a single rather than extra bases in New York's series opener at Boston. Mendoza said frustration may have played a role in Soto's response to a line drive in the sixth inning Monday night that bounced high off the Green Monster as Soto stood and watched from the batter's box inthe Mets' 3-1 loss. "I think he's comfortable, but again, everything is new. Not only a new team, but there's the new contract, the expectations," Mendoza told reporters before the Mets played the Red Sox on Tuesday night in the second game of the series. "That's our job as an organization, to continue to help him. But I do feel like he's in a good place. And look, it's about results, there, too. There's a lot of noise here, but he's going to be fine. He's too good of a player and we'll be right there with him." Mendoza sounded somewhat more understanding Tuesday than he did after the game Monday night, when he saidhe would have a chat with the $765 million starwho is in his first season with the Mets. "The guy's competing. I'll tell you that," he said. "It happens, man. They're human." Mendoza said Soto isn't the first player to clang a ball off the Monster and end up with a single. "A lot of times the frustrations are going to get the best out of them, especially a guy like that. He's so talented and had so much success early in his career. Right now he feels like maybe he could do a little bit more for the team. And he's part of it and that's part of the conversation here, understanding the personal," Mendoza said. Mendoza said Soto understands the extra pressure that comes with a giant contract and the expectations it brings. He said that's part of Soto's role as one of the best players in the game. "Knowing the player, I'm pretty sure there's something there because again — he's elite. He's a special player and you know he cares — he cares a lot," Mendoza said. ___ AP MLB:https://www.apnews.com/hub/MLB

byKevin Jones

in

May 20, 2025

Mendoza: Frustration may have played a role in Juan Soto's lack of hustle on base hit

Mendoza: Frustration may have played a role in Juan Soto's lack of hustle on base hit BOSTON (AP) — Mets manager Carlos Mendoza wouldn...

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