Dan Jenkins wrote that nothing in this world is Dead Solid Perfect. Trying telling that to Yankees pitcher Domingo German, who was El Perfecto Wednesday night in an 11-0 blanking of the A’s in Oakland. No hits, no walks nine strikeouts on only 99 pitches. German also closed out the ninth on just six pitches. I can’t find any imperfections in that performance. That’s quite the turnaround for German, who entered the start with a sub-.500 record, was shelled in his previous outing, and earlier this season served a 10-game suspension after an ump caught him with what he described as “the stickiest hand I’ve ever felt.”
As for the other MLB team in New York, Buck Showalter did not get fired Wednesday. But he won’t have to wait much longer. The Mets have the highest payroll in MLB history. Yet they are 17 games out of first place in their division. That’s kind of a disappointing ROI for Mets owner Steve Cohen, wouldn’t you say?
Al-TOOOO-ve with a three-run dinger in a five-run eighth inning as the ‘Stros rallied from a 7-5 deficit to beat the Cardinals 10-7. Jose, who had missed the Astros’ previous two games with a heel injury, reached base five times.
Neither DeAndre Hopkins nor Dalvin Cook appears to be in any hurry to land with a new team. But they could both wind up in the AFC East. D-Hop is being courted by the Pats, who could also have interest in Cook, as might the Jets and Dolphins.
Congratulations to outgoing NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith, who is closing out his 14-year tenure in that position. I always found Smith to be professional, level-headed and refreshingly candid. It will be interesting to compare and contrast Smith’s leadership style with that of incoming director Lloyd Howell, who was elected to the position Wednesday following a year-long search for a successor to Smith. Howell comes to pro football after retiring as CFO of the consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton.
The very first thing the NFL players and owners better address is this gambling crisis. This could bring the whole thing down. I am not exaggerating in the slightest. Now ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting that Colts cornerback Isaiah Rodgers and possibly other players will face a year-long gambling suspension. Rodgers may have placed bets on Colts games. WTH?
The most amazing thing to me about The Amazing Travis Kelce is his ability to get open against any type of coverage, on almost any route. You can tell he was a part-time quarterback in college. He sees the field like a QB. You’ve probably noticed that Patrick Mahomes sees the field like a quarterback as well. Theirs is an historically special connection.
This recent series of rip-current drownings should be respected by surf bathers of all ages and swimming skills. Former Arkansas and NFL quarterback Ryan Mallett, who died Tuesday in Destin, Florida, was an uncommonly strong and fit 35-year-old who was about to begin his second season as head football coach at White Hall High School in Arkansas. Let’s all stay safe at the beach as we celebrate the Fourth.
