St. John's Gets Commitment From Steere

@StJohnsBball.

The St. John’s men’s basketball team secured a commitment from NC State transfer Ian Steere, the latest part of what looks like a stellar roster for the 2019-20 season.

Steere, a former four-star recruit, will enroll at the University next semester and be eligible to play at the conclusion of the fall 2019 term.

Yankees Trade Torreyes To Cubs

On Wednesday, the Yankees traded infielder Ronald Torreyes to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for a player to be named later or cash consideration.

Torreyes, 26, had been designated for assignment by the Yankees on Monday to clear a roster spot for pitcher Parker Bridwell, whom they acquired off waivers from the Angels.

David Villa To Depart NYCFC

David Villa. Courtesy NYCFC.

New York City Football Club is losing its first-ever player, as their Captain David Villa will leave the team at the end of his contract on December 31, 2018.

Villa spent four glorious years with NYCFC, in which he scored 80 goals in 124 MLS matches.

St. John's Cruises By Maryland Eastern Shore

LJ Figueroa drives to the hoop. @StJohnsBball.

St. John's continued their strong start to the season with a dominant performance against Maryland Eastern Shore, as they cruised to an 85-64 win on Tuesday night at Carnesecca Arena.

St. John's improved to 6-0 on the season, and they remain the last unbeaten team in the Big East Conference.

Yankees Claim Parker Bridwell Off Waivers From Angels

Parker Bridwell.

The Yankees made another move to solidify their starting rotation on Monday, as they claimed right-hander Parker Bridwell off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels.

Bridwell, 27, went 1-0 with a 17.55 ERA (6.2IP, 13ER) in five games (one start) with the Angels in 2018. He spent the majority of the season on the minor league disabled list, but also made six starts with Triple-A Salt Lake, going 1-1 with an 8.68 ERA (28.0IP, 27ER).

St. John's Ponds Named Big East Player Of The Week

Shamorie Ponds against California on Monday, Nov. 19. @StJohnsBball.

Shamorie Ponds had a record-shattering pair of performances to lead St. John's to the Legends Classic title, and that earned him Big East Player of the Week honors, it was announced on Monday morning.

Playing in his home borough of Brooklyn for just the second time as a member of the Red Storm, had 32 points against California on 
Monday, November 19, followed by 35 the next night against VCU.

Atlanta Gains Major Advantage On Red Bulls In 1st Leg Of East Finals

Atlanta's Hectov Villalba celebrates his goal. @ATLUTD.

In the first leg of the Eastern Conference Finals on Sunday night, Atlanta United took advantage of being at home and beat the Red Bulls, 3-0.

The second leg is Thursday night at Red Bull Arena, and the Red Bulls need to score three goals to send the match to overtime, or four to win outright. If Atlanta gets one, which would be a "road goal," the Red Bulls would need to score five.

Frozen Apple At MSG: Harvard Rolls Past Cornell

Harvard celebrates a late goal. Photo by Jason Schott.

One of the annual traditions at Madison Square Garden is the Frozen Apple, the college hockey game held the Saturday night of Thanksgiving weekend.

This year's event featured Harvard taking on Cornell, and in front of 14,132, it was Harvard who came away with the 4-1 win.

NIT: In Battle Of Top-Ranked Teams, Kansas Beats Tennessee In OT

Kansas' Dedric Lawson drives the lane in the first half. Photo by Jason Schott.

In the NIT Championship Game on Friday night at Barclays Center, Kansas, the second-ranked team in the country, outlasted fifth-ranked Tennessee, in overtime.

The consolation game also went to overtime, and Marquette beat Louisville 77-74.

NIT At Barclays: Kansas, Tennessee Win In Semis

Kansas' Dedric Lawson puts up a jumper. @KUHoops.

Kansas, the second-ranked team in the country, beat Marquette, while Tennessee dispatched Louisville in the NIT semifinals on Wednesday night at Barclays Center.

Barclays Center Classic: Pitt Powers Past Saint Louis

Photo by Jason Schott.

In the Barclays Center Classic on Wednesday afternoon, Pittsburgh powered past Saint Louis, 75-73, to improve to 6-0 on the season under new Head Coach Jeff Capel.

Pitt was led by Xavier Johnson, who had 20 points, including 17 in the second half, on 6-11 from the field, including 1-1 from behind the arc, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists.

Malik Ellison and Sidy N'Dir had 13 points each, with N'Dir's coming off the bench on 5-8 shooting (2-3 on three-pointers) with 3 assists.

Yankees Roster Moves: November 20 & 21

Yankee Stadium. Photo by Jason Schott.

The Yankees made three moves on Tuesday and Wednesday, as they acquired an outfielder and pitcher, and promoted one of their own pitchers to the major-league roster.

St. John's Wins Legends Classic

@StJohnsBball.

St. John's won the Legends Classic on Tuesday night at Barclays Center with a thrilling overtime victory over VCU, 87-86.

Shamorie Ponds led the way for St. John's once again, as he poured in 35 points to take home tournament Most Valuable Player honors. Combined with the 32 points he had against California on Monday night, his 67 points were a tournament record.

Legends Classic At Barclays: Ponds Powers SJU Past Cal

@StJohnsBball.

Shamorie Ponds proved on Monday night why he was named the Big East Conference's Preseason Player of the Year, as he poured in 32 points to lead St. John's past California, 82-79, in the Legends Classic semifinals at Barclays Center.

St. John's will face off against VCU on Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. in the championship game. VCU beat Temple 57-51 in the other semifinal game on Monday night. Temple and Cal will face off in the consolation game at 5 p.m.

Yankees Acquire Paxton As They Begin To Bolster Rotation

@Yankees.

Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman entered this offseason vowing to bolster their starting rotation, and he made major progress on that Monday night.

The Yankees acquired left-hander James Paxton from Seattle in exchange for three prospects LHP Justus Sheffield, RHP Erik Swanson and OF Dom Thompson-Williams. Sheffield was the top prospect in their system, brought over from Cleveland in the Andrew Miller trader in 2016.

Books: Bill Nye's "Everything All At Once"

Everything All At Once: How to Think Like a Science Guy, Solve any Problem, and Make a Better World
By Bill Nye and Corey S. Powell
Rodale Books; paperback, $17.99; available Tuesday, November 20

Bill Nye has been the face of science and discovery for over 20 years. The educator, author, and television host has taught us to be more observant and think more critically using humor, music, and scientific visuals in his award-winning educational programs.

Books: Matt Gutman On "The Boys In The Cave" In Thailand

The Boys In The Cave: Deep Inside the Impossible Rescue in Thailand
By Matt Gutman
William Morrow, in imprint of HarperCollins; hardcover; $26.99

The world was captivated this past June when 12 boys on a soccer team, along with their coach, were miraculously rescued from an underground cave in Thailand after being trapped for three weeks.

Matt Gutman, ABC News’ Chief National Correspondent, covered the rescue on the ground in Thailand, and has written the new book, The Boys In The Cave: Deep Inside the Impossible Rescue in Thailand to show the real story of what was taking place inside the cave, which was far different than the information being given to reporters on the scene.

Books: "Monster City" On The Dark Side Of Nashville

Monster City: Murder, Music, and Mayhem In Nashville's Dark Age
By Michael Arntfield
Little A; hardcover, $24.95; paperback, $14.95; eBook $5.99

Nashville’s music scene was terrorized by serial killers for decades, and Monster City is the never-before-told true account of the cold-case Murder Squad that was determined to bring an end to their sadistic sprees.

Bestselling true-crime author Michael Arntfield spent more than 15 years as a police officer and detective in Canada before going on to become a globally noted homicide scholar and criminologist, including a year spent as a visiting professor at Vanderbilt University in Nashville.

Books: John Lehman On How Reagan Won The Cold War At Sea

Oceans Ventured: Winning the Cold War at Sea
By John Lehman
W.W. Norton and Company; hardcover, 368 pages; $27.95

Former United States Secretary of the Navy John Lehman examines how President Ronald Reagan changed America's defense strategy on the seas in the new book Oceans Ventured: Winning the Cold War at Sea.

Lehman's position as one of the chief architects and leaders of the navy's Cold War resurgence  have him unprecedented access and unparalleled insight into the personalities, theories, and command decisions that helped America win the Cold War.

St. John's Runs Out Rutgers In Gavitt Games

L.J. Figueroa (30) and Mustapha Heron (14) led the way. @StJohnsBball.

St. John's rolled past Rutgers, 84-65, on Friday night in Piscataway, NJ, in the Gavitt Tipoff Games.

St. John's is now 3-0 on the young season, and they will be back in action on Monday night at 7 p.m. at Brooklyn's Barclays Center in the Legends Classic against California.

2K Classsic: Iowa Upends UConn; Oregon Takes 3rd Over 'Cus

Iowa's Connor McCaffery goes for a layup - Photo by Jason Schott. 

Iowa won the 2K Empire Classic on Friday night at The Garden with a 91-72 win over UConn, while Oregon rolled to an 80-65 win over Syracuse in the consolation game.

2K Empire Classic: UConn Beats Syracuse; Faces Iowa In Final

Photo by Jason Schott.

In the 2K Empire Classic at The Garden Thursday night, UConn beat 15th-ranked Syracuse, 83-76, in a rekindling of their old Big East rivalry, while Iowa beat Oregon, 77-69.

On Friday afternoon, Oregon will face Syracuse in the consolation game at 4:30 p.m., while UConn takes on Oregon in the championship game at 7:00.

Books: "Handcrafted" By Clint Harp, Resident Carpenter on "Fixer Upper"

Handcrafted: A Woodworker's Story
By Clint Harp
Touchstone; hardcover; $26.99

Clint Harp is the star of Wood Work on the DIY Network and he is the resident carpenter on Chip and Joanna Gaines' smash hit Fixer Upper.

In the new book Handcrafted: A Woodworker's Story, Harp writes an inspirational memoir for anyone who ever considered turning their craft into a career.

Books: Arne Duncan On "How Schools Work"

How Schools Work: An Inside Account of Failure and Success from One of the Nation's Longest-Serving Secretaries of Education
By Arne Duncan
Simon & Schuster; hardcover, 256 pages; $26.99

Arne Duncan was Secretary of Education under President Barack Obama, and was one of the longest-serving members of the cabinet.

Duncan was one of the most influential secretaries of education in history, and he has spent nearly three decades working across all levels of education, from his mother's after-school program on Chicago's South Side to CEO of the Chicago Public Schools.

DeGromination: Mets Ace Wins Cy Young Award

Mets ace Jacob deGrom had a historic season in 2018, and on Wednesday night, he was awarded with the National League Cy Young Award by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA).

DeGrom won the Cy Young in a romp, with received 207 points, including 29 of 30 first place votes. Washington's Max Scherzer came in second, as he earned the only other first-place vote, preventing DeGrom from winning it unanimously.

Yankees 2019 Holiday Ticket On-Sale Opportunities

The Yankees announced special holiday on-sale opportunities exclusively for Mastercard cardholders to purchase tickets for select 2019 New York Yankees home games.

Starting at noon ET on Thursday, November 15 and continuing through 10:00 p.m. on Monday, December 24, fans using their Mastercard may purchase specially priced individual game tickets to select 2019 Yankees home games as part of the "Mastercard Preferred Pricing" program, which offers discounts to select games in select seating categories when purchasing tickets using a Mastercard.
Select Mastercard $5 Games and Half-Price Games noted below will also be available for purchase during this on-sale offer.

Books: "Seduction" On Howard Hughes's Hollywood

Howard Hughes.

Seduction: Sex, Lies, and Stardom in Howard Hughes's Hollywood
By Karina Longworth
Custom House/Harper Collins Publishers; Hardcover; $29.99; available today, Tuesday, November 13

Howard Hughes is one of the most legendary directors and producers who quickly established a reputation for discovering female talent in Hollywood's Golden Age.

Hughes defied his family by investing his inherited riches in Hollywood beginning in 1925. As the owner and manager of RKO Pictures, Hughes consistently challenged the Hollywood status quo, especially the industry's censors. His reputation as an iconoclast was challenged only by his reputation as a playboy who romanced dozens of actresses, from the town's biggest stars to countless nameless aspirants.

Books: Nashville, Scenes from the New American South

Nashville: Scenes from the New American South
By Ann Patchett and Heidi Ross, introduction by Jon Meacham
Harper Design; 208 pages; $35.00, available Tuesday, November 13

Nashville is a city on the move and their moment is now. That energy and excitement can be found in the new book Nashville: Scenes from the New American South, which is complete with 175 full-color and black and white photographs.

Books: Fun Takes On The Craft Of Writing

There are two new books that examine writers and their craft, both told through fun illustrations, A Sidecar Named Desire: Great Writers and the Booze that Stirred Them by Greg Clarke and Monte Beauchamp; and Rock Critic Law: 101 Unbreakable Rules for Writing Badly About Music by Michael Azerrad.

MLS Playoffs: Red Bulls Roll Past Columbus To Reach East Final

The Red Bulls celebrate Daniel Royer's late goal. Photo by Jason Schott.

The Red Bulls played one of their best games of the season at just the right time, as they beat the Columbus Crew, 3-0, on Sunday night at Red Bull Arena to win their Eastern Conference Semifinal matchup.

Columbus won the first leg at home a week ago, 1-0, and they didn't put much pressure on the net in this one, as Red Bulls goalkeeper and captain Luis Robles needed to make just three saves for his seventh career postseason clean sheet in his 20th career playoff match.

MLS Playoffs: NYCFC No Match For Atlanta

@ATLUTD.

Atlanta United ran out New York City Football Club, 3-1, on Sunday afternoon to win their Eastern Conference Semifinal.

Coupled with their 1-0 win at Yankee Stadium a week ago, Atlanta won by an aggregate of 4-1.

Books: On Food & Drink

There are three new books out that will refine your palette and make you appreciate drinks in a new way: Tasty Ultimate: How To Cook Basically Anything; House of Vinegar: The Power of Sour, with Recipes; and Drink Beer, Think Beer: Getting to the Bottom of Every Pint.

St. John's Wins Battle With Bowling Green

Photo by Jason Schott.

St. John's faced a tough test in their second game of the season on Friday night at Carnesecca Arena, as they outlasted Bowling Green, 84-80.

Just as they did in their opening night win on Tuesday night over Loyola-Maryland, St. John's jumped out to a nice lead early, as Marvin Clark II drained a pair of free throws to make it 20-12 seven minutes in.

Books: Find Out About Yourself & Friends With "Fill Me In"

FILL ME IN: Part Journal, Part Game, All Yours
Touchstone; hardcover; $14.99

Having close friendships is very important and can bring lots of joy to our lives. Throughout major milestones in life, people are there along the way that mean very much to us.

Red Bulls' Aaron Long Named MLS Defender Of The Year

Courtesy of the Red Bulls.

Red Bulls center back Aaron Long has been named the 2018 MLS Defender of the Year, the league announced on Wednesday. 

Long earns MLS Defender of the Year honors in just his second MLS season, two years removed from being named USL Defender of the Year in 2016 with NYRB II. He also plays for the United States Men's National team.

CComing Home: Yankees Re-Sign Sabathia

CC Sabathia. @Yankees.

CC Sabathia is coming home. The Yankees announced on Wednesday afternoon that they have re-signed the veteran left-hander to a one-year contract for the 2019 season.

Sabathia, 38, has spent 10 seasons with the Yankees since he came here in 2009, when he helped lead them to their last World Championship.

Books: Rose's Baking Basics

Rose's Baking Basics: 100 Essential Recipes, With More Than 600 Step-By-Step Photos
By Rose Levy Beranbaum
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; Hardcover; $35.00

Rose Levy Beranbaum has been crowned the queen of baking by Epicurious, and her 11th cookbook, Rose's Baking Basics is her most comprehensive and accessible cookbook yet.

Rose embraces beginners in a way that her previous books did not, but advanced bakers are sure to come away with some new techniques to add to their repertoire.

St. John's Opens Season With Big Win Over Loyola-Maryland

Shamorie Ponds. @StJohnsRedStorm.

St. John's opened the season with a dominant performance, as they beat Loyola Maryland, 76-55, on Tuesday night at Carnesecca Arena.

St. John's took control of this game early, jumping out to a 21-8 lead on a Mikey Dixon three-point play at the 9:58 mark of the first half and a Shamorie Ponds three-pointer as time expired gave them a 48-23 lead at halftime.

MLS Playoffs: NYCFC Falls To Atlanta

David Villa looks to make a play. @NYCFC.

In the first leg of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Sunday night at Yankee Stadium, New York City Football Club fell to Atlanta United, 1-0.

MLS Playoffs: Red Bulls Fall In Columbus

Bradley Wright-Phillips trying to break through the Columbus defense. @NewYorkRedBulls.

In the first leg of the MLS Eastern Conference semifinals, Columbus Crew SC held off the top-seeded Red Bulls, 1-0, on Sunday at MAPFRE Stadium.

NYCFC Beats Philly Again To Make East Semis

Maxi Moralez. @NYCFC.

For the second time in four days, New York City Football Club beat the Philadelphia Union at Yankee Stadium. On Sunday night, it was in the regular season finale, and on Wednesday night, NYCFC dominated again, to the tune of a 3-1 win in their one-game playoff.

The win sets up a meeting between NYCFC and second-seeded Atlanta United in the Eastern Conference semifinals, with the first leg this Sunday at Yankee Stadium and the second leg in Atlanta on November 11.

Yankees Bring Back Brett Gardner

Brett Gardner during batting practice. Photo by Jason Schott.

The Yankees are bringing back their longest-tenured player, outfielder Brett Gardner, on a one-year contract for the 2019 season after he declined the 2019 club option on his previous contract.

Gardner, 35, made his Major League debut in 2008 after he was drafted by the Yankees in the third round of the 2005 First-Year Player Draft.