Thursday, July 3, 2025

NYCFC Notches Historic Win Over Toronto At The Stadium

 

 The sky above Yankee Stadium during the game after rain moved through ahead of the match. Photo by Jason Schott.


New York City Football Club rolled to a 3-1 win over Toronto FC in front of a crowd of 19,395 at Yankee Stadium.

Wednesday, July 2, 2025

Mets Split Doubleheader With Brewers

 

Clay Holmes firing one in to Sal Frelick in the fifth inning of Game 1. Photo by Jason Schott.


After a rain out on Tuesday night, the Mets took the field on Wednesday afternoon to open a day-night doubleheader with the Milwaukee Brewers, their first action since their lost weekend in Pittsburgh.

GAME 1: BREWERS 7, METS 2

The Brewers wasted no time in this one, as Sal Frelick opened the game with a lead-off home run to right field off Mets starting pitcher Clay Holmes.

William Contreras followed with a single, but Holmes then struck out Christian Yelich and he retired the following two to get out of the frame.

Freddy Peralta got the start for Milwaukee, and he retired the first six Mets before he hit Jeff McNeil with a pitch to open the third inning.

Luis Torrens then singled, and McNeil raced to third base.

That set him up to score on Brett Baty’s sacrifice fly to center field, and the game was tied at 1.

Milwaukee had a massive chance in the top of the fourth with Holmes walked the bases loaded with one out, but he then got Joey Ortiz to ground into a double play to end the threat.

Juan Soto drew a walk to open the bottom half of the fourth before he stole second base. 

Pete Alonso then laced a single to bring him in, and the Mets led 2-1.

Holmes then retired Milwaukee 1-2-3 in the fifth, and he walked Yelich to open the sixth before getting Jackson Chourio to fly out to right field.

Clay Holmes getting Jackson Chourio to fly out to right field to end his day. Photo by Jason Schott.


That would be all for Holmes, and in came Reid Garrett.

The right-hander was greeted rudely by Brice Turang, who hit a double to left field to bring in Yelich and tie the game at 2.

Isaac Collins then got a single, and Jake Bauers drew a walk to load the bases.

Up came Ortiz for the second time in a row he would have them loaded with one out - this time he took full advantage.

After drawing the count to 3-0 before he took a strike, Ortiz took the 3-1 offering and crushed it to left field, and the Brewers were suddenly up 6-2.

Joey Ortiz celebrates with his teammates after crushing his grand slam. Photo by Jason Schott.


Milwaukee tacked on another run in the eighth when Collins crushed a solo shot in the top of the eighth.

Peralta earned the win for the Brewers, after he went six innings, and allowed two runs (both earned) on two hits and a walk, while striking out six. He is now 9-4 with a 2.91 ERA on the season.

Garrett took the loss, after surrendering four runs in just 2/3 of an inning, and he is now 2-4. 

GAME 2: METS 7, BREWERS 3:

The Mets took the nightcap, as they jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the second inning, backed by a grand slam from Brandon Nimmo and a solo home run from Francisco Lindor.

Francisco Lindor returning to the dugout after his home run. 

Huascar Brazoban started this one as an “opener,” and after he threw a scoreless first inning, Blake Tidwell threw four shutout innings.

Tidwell was lifted after he allowed three runs in the sixth, but he still earned the win, his first of the season.

Lindor gave the Mets some insurance when he got an RBI single in the sixth and an RBI double in the eighth that made it 7-3.

This was the Mets’ fourth win in their last 18 games, and they are now 49-38.


Tuesday, July 1, 2025

Books: "The Friday Afternoon Club" By Griffin Dunne, Now In Paperback

 



The Friday Afternoon Club

By Griffin Dunne

Penguin Press; paperback, 400 pages; $21.00

Griffin Dunne has had a storied acting career dating to the 1970s, known for producing and starring in the classic film After Hours, and recently, he played the role of Nicky on the acclaimed show This Is Us. He also directed Practical Magic and the documentary The Center Will Not Hold, about his aunt, the legendary writer Joan Didion.

Sunday, June 29, 2025

Red Bulls Match Minnesota Late To Earn Draw

 

Omar Valencia firing in a corner kick in the 8th minute. Photo by Jason Schott.


The Red Bulls started strong early, and had to finish that way, to earn a 2-2 draw with Minnesota United FC on Saturday night at Sports Illustrated Stadium.

Thursday, June 26, 2025

Soto Sparks Mets Just When They Need It

 

Juan Soto rounds first base on his fourth-inning home run. Photo by Jason Schott.


When Juan Soto was in The Bronx for his cameo last season, it was easy to see he was this Yankees' era version of "the straw that stirs the drink," as Reggie Jackson was called when he led them to two World Series titles after a long drought.

Tuesday, June 24, 2025

Books: "The Love Fix" By Jill Shalvis

 


The Love Fix

By Jill Shalvis

Avon; paperback, $18.99; Ebook, $12.99; Digital Audio, $27.99; available today, Tuesday, June 24th

Jill Shalvis is a New York Times bestselling author who lives in a small town in the Sierras full of quirky characters. Any possible  resemblance is mostly coincidental, and her bestselling books can be found at her website, jillshalvis.com, where there's a complete book list and she writes a daily blog detailing her city-girl-living-in-the-mountains adventures.

Tuesday, June 17, 2025

Books: "Every Weapon I Had" By Paris Davis

 


Every Weapon I Had: A Vietnam Vet's Long Road to the Medal of Honor

By Paris Davis

St. Martin's Press; 320 pages; hardcover, $30.00; EBook, $14.99; available today, Tuesday, June 17th

Paris Davis is a former Green Beret and highly-decorated veteran of the United States Special Forces. His story is one of incredible heroism, as he served the nation in combat during the 1960s, one of the most polarizing times in the nation's history. He felt the effects of the two most pivotal events of that time as a young African-American, the Vietnam War and the Civil Rights movement.

Sunday, June 15, 2025

Red Sox Sweep Yankees, Who Commence Their Annual Descent

 

Garrett Whitlock and Connor Wong after Boston won Sunday afternoon. Photo by Jason Schott.


The Boston Red Sox completed their sweep of the Yankees on Sunday afternoon with a 2-0 shutout win at Fenway Park, which begs the question, do the Yankees just suck?

Friday, June 13, 2025

NYCFC Stuns Atlanta With Second Half Blitz

 

Hannes Wolf flew past the Atlanta defense in the 59th minute...

To make it 4-0 NYCFC. Photos by Jason Schott.


New York City Football Club got in a rhythm on offense, and it flourished into a full-blown symphony as they routed Atlanta United FC, 4-0, on Thursday night at Yankee Stadium.

Thursday, June 12, 2025

One Year Later: From Grimace To Greatness For Mets

 

Jeff McNeil hit a three-run home run in the first inning on Thursday afternoon against Washington. Photo by Jason Schott.


One year ago, June 12, 2024, the Mets got a spark from someone who would become a touchstone as they made their run to a surprise appearance in the National League Championship Series.

Grimace through the first pitch before the Mets beat the Miami Marlins, 10-4.

Brooklyn Digest covered that game, and here’s a sampling from the article, “Mets Mash Marlins On Night That Could Be Model Going Forward”:

The Mets had one of their most complete games of the season on Wednesday night at Citi Field, as they romped past the Miami Marlins, 10-4. They got solid pitching from David Peterson and Dedniel Nunez, and a trio of home runs from Harrison Bader, Starling Marte, and Francisco Lindor.

The Mets (29-37) set the tone early when Peterson had a strong 1-2-3 top of the first, capped by striking out Josh Bell looking.

“In the bottom of the first against Marlins starter Braxton Garrett, a lefty like Peterson, the Mets offense got off to a fast start. Francisco Lindor led off with a double when Marlins center fielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. misjudged a liner, and then Harrison Bader then crushed one to right field for a no-doubt two-run homer. 

“That gave the Mets center fielder his fourth of the season, and 25 RBI on the season as well.”

The Mets led 5-4, then 8-4 before they “blew it open in the bottom of the eighth when Lindor led off the frame with a solo shot, his 11th homer of the season, and Marte followed with an RBI single that made it 10-4.

“Marte, Bader, and Alvarez had two RBI apiece, while Taylor led the way with four hits, followed by Lindor, Bader, and Marte each notched two hits.

Peterson improved to 2-0 on the season, but since this was just his third start of the season, his ERA (earned run average) jumped from 3.09 to 4.32.”

A year later, Peterson is 5-2 with a 2.49 ERA after he threw a complete game shutout in a 5-0 win on Wednesday against the Washington Nationals at Citi Field.

As you read, the Mets were 29-37 on this date a year ago, and  that victory began a seven-game winning streak.

The Mets reached the .500 mark, at 39-39, with a 12-2 blowout win over the Yankees at Citi two weeks later.

By July 2, the Mets had won 13 of 17 games, and that extended to 20 wins in 28 games over basically a month, and a record of 49-45 on July 13.

The Mets torrid pace continued through the summer, as they snagged a Wild Card spot with a record of 89-73.

That meant the Amazin’s went an astonishing 60-36 the rest of the way.

On Thursday afternoon, the Mets added one more to that total, as they completed their sweep of the Washington Nationals with a 4-3 win.

Jeff McNeil gave the Mets the early lead with a three-run home run in the first inning off Washington starting pitcher Mike Soroka. 

That was McNeil’s seventh home run of the season and gave him 22 RBI.

Brandon Nimmo got a home run off his own, a solo shot in the fifth that rang off the right field foul pole.

Mets starter Kodak Senga turned in a phenomenal outing, as he surrendered just one hit and one walk over 5 2/3 shutout innings. At one point, he retired 13 straight Washington hitters from when there was one out in the first inning until two out in the fifth.

Kodai Senga pitching to Nathaniel Lowe in the fourth inning. Photo by Jason Schott.


Senga’s afternoon ended in deleterious fashion, as he suffered an injury leaping up to grab a high throw from first baseman Pete Alonso at the bag to nab C.J. Abrams.

Senga came up lame, and was writhing in pain before he left on his own volition, and was promptly removed from the game.

Even though Washington scored three in the ninth to make in interesting, Senga earned the win to improve to 7-3 with a 1.47 ERA.

The Mets are now 45-24, and they have expanded their lead to 5 1/2 games over the Philadelphia Phillies. 

That gives them 105 regular season wins in the past calendar year.

Overall, they’ve won 112 games because they won eight in the playoffs last year as they beat the Milwaukee Brewers and Philadelphia Phillies before losing the NLCS to the Los Angeles Dodgers in six games.







Tuesday, June 10, 2025

Books: "The River Is Waiting" By Wally Lamb

 


The River Is Waiting

By Wally Lamb

S&S/Marysue Rucci Books; hardcover, 480 pages; $29.99; available today, Tuesday, June 10th

Wally Lamb is the author of six New York Times bestselling novels, I'll Take You There; We Are Water; Wishin' and Hopin'The Hour I First Believed; I Know This Much Is True; and She's Come Undone. Lamb also was the Editor of two essays from students in his writing workshop at York Correctional Institution, a women's prison in Connecticut - Couldn't Keep It to Myself and I'll Fly Away. Lamb lives in Connecticut with his wife and three sons.

Sunday, June 8, 2025

Yankees Must Take Big Picture Approach When It Comes To Rival Red Sox

 

The Boston Red Sox take the field Saturday night. @RedSox.


Friday night at Yankee Stadium was “embarrassing” for the Boston Red Sox, a term used by both starting pitcher Walker Buehler and a WEEI announcer.

Thursday, June 5, 2025

Pitino Throws Out First Pitch At Yankee Stadium

 

Rick Pitino on Wednesday night. Provided by St. John's.


St. John's Head Coach Rick Pitino threw out the first pitch at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday night ahead of the Yankees' 4-0 loss to the Cleveland Guardians.

Wednesday, June 4, 2025

Parting Schott: Knicks Will Win A Title Before This NY Team

 

Madison Square Garden during a Knicks game this season. Photo by Jason Schott.


The Knicks made the shocking decision on Tuesday to fire Head Coach Tom Thibodeau just days after they lost in the Eastern Conference Finals to the Indiana Pacers.

Sunday, June 1, 2025

Red Bulls Run By Atlanta, Coronel Notches Another Clean Sheet

 

The Red Bulls celebrate after Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting made it 2-0. Photo by Jason Schott.


The Red Bulls, backed by a pair of early, excellent goals, shutout Atlanta United FC, 2-0, on Saturday night in front of a near-capacity crowd of 20,187 at Sports Illustrated Stadium.

Saturday, May 31, 2025

NYCFC Notches Draw In Nashville

 

Hannes Wolf looking to make a play. Provided by NYCFC.


New York City Football Club tied Nashville SC, 2-2, on the road Saturday, backed by a pair of goals from Hannes Wolf.

Wednesday, May 28, 2025

Books: "Drive," Bob Harig's Remarkable Book On Tiger, Now In Paperback

 


DRIVE: The Lasting Legacy of Tiger Woods

By Bob Harig

St. Martin's Press; paperback, 320 pages; $20.00

Bob Harig is a writer for Sports Illustrated, formerly of ESPN and the Tampa Bay Times, who has covered Tiger Woods since the very beginning of his career nearly three decades ago. Harig is one of the few authors who has conducted dozens of one-on-one interviews with Tiger, and is the author of Tiger & Phil: Golf's Most Fascinating Rivalry (click here for our review from April 2022).

Tuesday, May 27, 2025

Holmes Has Found A New Home In Flushing

 

Clay Holmes fires one in to Chicago's Mike Tauchman in the fourth inning. Photo by Jason Schott.


Clay Holmes established himself as a reliable closer in The Bronx, but it was the team in Flushing that saw what he really could be.

Sunday, May 25, 2025

NYCFC Cruises By Chicago As It Climbs Up Standings

 

NYCFC put the game away when Alonso Martinez scored on this penalty kick in the 89th minute. Photo by Jason Schott.


New York City Football Club won their second in a row with a dominant 3-1 win over the Chicago Fire on Sunday at Yankee Stadium.

Tuesday, May 20, 2025

Books: "Yet Here I Am" By Jonathan Capehart

 



Yet Here I Am: Lessons from a Black Man's Search for Home

By Jonathan Capehart

Grand Central Publishing; hardcover, 272 pages; $30.00; available today, Tuesday, May 20th

Jonathan Capehart is a Pulitzer-Prize winning journalist and a co-host of the morning edition of The Weekend on MSNBC. Capehart is an Associate Editor at the Washington Post, where he also writes an opinion column, and he is an analyst for The PBS News Hour. His career began here in New York with the Daily News, where he was the deputy editorial page editor from 2002-04, and served on the editorial board from 1993-2000. He earned the board a Pulitzer for his editorial campaign in 1999 to save the Apollo Theater.

Books: New Novels From Michael McGarrity & Amita Murray

 


Night in the City

By Michael McGarrity

W.W. Norton & Company; hardcover, 272 pages; $28.99; available today, Tuesday, May 20th

Michael McGarrity is the author of the nationally best-selling Kevin Kerney crime novels, which he concluded in Head Wounds, the acclaimed American West trilogy, and his recent novel, The Long Ago.

Saturday, May 17, 2025

NYCFC Takes First Hudson River Derby Of Season

 

The scene after the final whistle. Photo by Jason Schott.


New York City Football Club was victorious in the first Hudson River Derby of the season, as they shutout the Red Bulls, 2-0, on Saturday afternoon in front of a crowd of 30,804 at Citi Field.

Friday, May 16, 2025

Books: "Lollapaolooza" By Bienstock & Beaujour



Lollapaolooza: The Uncensored Story of Alternative Rock's Wildest Festival

By Richard Bienstock and Tom Beaujour

St. Martin's Press; hardcover, 432 pages; $32.00

Richard Beinstock is the former senior editor of Guitar World magazine and executive editor of Guitar Aficionado magazine. He is the author of several books, including Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck, and he co-authored Nothin' But a Good Time with Tom Beaujour. His writing has appeared in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Rolling Stone, Billboard, and SPIN.

Wednesday, May 14, 2025

NYCFC Faces Gridlock In DC

 

NYCFC goalkeeper Matt Freese looks on. Photo provided by NYCFC.


If you're going to watch a New York City Football Club game this season, you have to figure there will be a clean sheet.

Tuesday, May 13, 2025

MLB Decision Could Pave Way For Pete Rose To Go Into Hall Of Fame

 

Photo by Jason Schott.


On Tuesday, Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred made a monumental decision regarding whether Pete Rose, Shoeless Joe Jackson, and other players who have been on the permanently ineligible list.

Books: New Novels & Poetry

We are in the heart of spring, a perfect time of year to curl up with a book outside, and in this review we will look at two new novels, Marble Hall Murders, by Anthony Horowitz; and The Marriage Rule, by Helen Monks Takhar; and a thoughtful book of poetry by Josie Balka, I Hope You Remember: Poems on Loving, Longing, and Living.

Mets Take It To Skenes, Then Win It On Walk Off

 

Paul Skenes fires one in to Juan Soto in the first inning. Photo by Jason Schott.


The Mets, in first place in the National League East with possibly the best lineup in baseball, battled the Pittsburgh Pirates and their ace, Paul Skenes, one of the best young starting pitchers, in front of 35,580 fans on Monday night at Citi Field.

Saturday, May 10, 2025

NYCFC Shutout By Montreal In Return To Stadium

 

Montreal celebrates their victory after the referee's whistle at the end extra time in the second half. Photo by Jason Schott.


New York City Football Club suffered their toughest loss of the season on Saturday night at Yankee Stadium, as they were shutout, 1-0, by CF Montreal, who earned their first win of the season.

Thursday, May 8, 2025

Mets Launch Amazin' Auction

 

Citi Field. Photo by Jason Schott.


The Amazin' Mets Foundation announced on Thursday morning that it has launched Amazin' Auction.

Books: "Run for the Hills," By Kevin Wilson

 



Run for the Hills

By Kevin Wilson

Ecco; hardcover, 256 pages; $28.99; available Tuesday, May 13th 

Kevin Wilson is the New York Times bestselling author of five novels, including Now Is Not the Time to Panic, Nothing to See Here, and The Family Fang, plus two story collections. His work as been honored with the Shirley Jackson Award and been chosen as a Read with Jenna book club pick. 

Tuesday, May 6, 2025

Books: "The Art of Winning" By Bill Belichick

 


The Art of Winning: Lessons from My Life in Football

By Bill Belichick

Avid Reader Press/Simon & Schuster; hardcover, 304 pages; $35.00; available today, Tuesday, May 6th

Bill Belichick is arguably the greatest football coach of all time, after he led the New England Patriots to six Super Bowl championships. He also won two championships with the Giants in 1986 and 1990, giving him an unprecedented eight rings overall, which he displays in his dust jacket cover photo.

Books: "Undeniable," By Cameron Hanes

 


Undeniable: How to Reach the Top and Stay There

By Cameron Hanes

St. Martin's Press; 336 pages; hardcover, $35.00; $16.99 EBook; available today, Tuesday, May 6th

Cameron Hanes is a master motivator, as he has inspired people through his writings, television appearances, and social media postings. His first book was ENDURE, which demonstrated how to push beyond your physical limits to improve yourself. Hanes also has a podcast, Keep Hammering Collective, that highlights outliers who have accomplished extraordinary things and helps listeners find motivation in their everyday lives. 

Sunday, May 4, 2025

NYCFC Loves It At Citi As They Crush Cincinnati In Playoff Rematch

 

NYCFC celebrates Julian Fernandez's early goal. Photo by Jason Schott.


That's two games at Citi Field and two shutouts for New Yoirk City Football Club, as they won their playoff rematch with Cincinnati CF, 1-0, on Sunday afternoon in front of 21,611 fans.

Books: "Together We Roared," Steve Williams On His Time With Tiger

 



Together We Roared: Alongside Tiger for His Epic Thirteen-Majors Run

By Steve Williams and Evin Priest

William Morrow; hardcover, 320 pages, $30.00; E-Book, $14.99; and Digital Audio, $27.99

Steve Williams, a New Zealand native, is one of the greatest caddies in golf history. He carried the clubs for such golfers as Greg Norman, Ian Baker-Finch, and most famously, Tiger Woods. He became most known as Tiger's caddy because in their time together, he won eighty tournaments worldwide, including thirteen major championships. Williams was inducted into the Caddie Hall of Fame by the Western Golf Association in 2014.

Saturday, May 3, 2025

Mets To Host AAPI Heritage Night On May 14

 

Citi Field. Photo by Jason Schott.


The Mets will host Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Night at Citi Field when they take on the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday, May 14 at 7:10 P.M.

St. John's Basketball Bulletin

 

Madison Square Garden is the home of St. John's basketball. Photo by Jason Schott.


The St. John's Red Storm men's basketball team has had a busy off-season, and this update will catch you up on the past few days.

Thursday, May 1, 2025

Soto Strikes Twice For First Dingers At Citi Field

 

Juan Soto at home plate after rounding the bases on his first home run. Photo by Jason Schott.


Juan Soto gave the Mets fans the moment they were waiting for at a crowded Citi Field on Thursday afternoon - and then he did it again.

Wednesday, April 30, 2025

St. John's Adds Tamba, A Center From Congo

 

Provided by St. John's.

The St. John's Red Storm men's basketball team have spent a lot of time this off-season focusing on acquiring outside shooters, and on Wednesday, they announced that they have added a major presence in the paint.

Monday, April 28, 2025

Mets Put Up 19 Runs To Become MLB's First To 20 Wins

 

Citi Field. Photo by Jason Schott.


The Mets rolled to a 19-5 win over the Washington Nationals on Monday evening to become the first team in Major League Baseball to reach 20 wins.

Saturday, April 26, 2025

Red Bulls, Coronel Shutout Montreal

 

Noah Elie heading home the lone goal of the game midway through the second half. Photo by Jason Schott.


The New York Red Bulls notched a 1-0 shutout over CF Montreal on Saturday evening at Sports Illustrated Stadium.

NYCFC Notches Another Shutout

 

Alonso Martinez celebrates his goal on Saturday afternoon. Provided by NYCFC.


New York City Football Club shutout Toronto FC, 1-0, on Saturday afternoon at BMO Field, their first road win of the season.

The Disaster That Is Devin Williams Was Utterly Predictable

 

Yankee Stadium. Photo by Jason Schott.


In the future the Yankees have to remember "don't bring in a player known for choking against the Mets."

Friday, April 25, 2025

RJ Luis Wins Haggerty Award For Outstanding Season At St. John's

 

RJ Luis Jr. burying a fadeaway jumper against UConn on February 24th. Photo by Jason Schott.


St. John's star RJ Luis Jr. was honored on Thursday by the Metropolitan Basketball Writers' Association as the winner of the Lt. Frank J. Haggerty Met Player of the Year.

Thursday, April 24, 2025

Books: "Propaganda Girls" By Lisa Rogak, On An Unknown Part of World War II

 



Propaganda Girls: The Secret War of the Women in the OSS

By Lisa Rogak

St. Martin's Press; hardcover, 240 pages; $29.00

Lisa Rogak is the author of numerous books including And Nothing But the Truthiness: The Rise (and Further Rise) of Stephen Colbert, and Angry Optimist: The Life and Times of Jon Stewart, and she was the editor of Barack Obama in His Own Words, which was a New York Times bestseller.

Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Another Day, Another Signing For St. John's

 

Provided by St. John's.


St. John's announced on Wednesday that is has signed forward Dillon Mitchell, the third big addition to their roster in as many days and sixth this off-season.

Pitino & 5 Players Honored By MBWA

 

Zuby Ejiofor lays one in during St. John's win over Creighton on February 16. Photo by Jason Schott.


The Metropolitan Basketball Writers' Association honored the most successful team in the New York region, the Big East Champion St. John's Red Storm, when they announced their awards on Wednesday morning.