News by Tom Barton
News by Tom Barton on South Shore Press
Tennis Camp At Connetquot
Tennis is becoming more and more of a popular sport not just worldwide, but also here on Long Island.
Betting Bullpens = Big Bucks
While the Yankees with Rivera, Nelson, and Stanton set the standard for shortening the game, the Rays took it a step further and almost eliminated the need for a dominant starter when they began to institute the opener. Teams have since become quite happy with 3 good starters and patching the backend of the rotation together and even the front line starters' standards have gone down to just get us through 5 or 6 innings and allow the bullpen to take it from there. But again, many sports bettors have looked past this trend.
Haasan Holds Out
This is just another step in the drama that has pitted Reddick against the Jets. New York sent a conditional 3rd round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles to get the big pass rusher, and now are facing a season without any contributions from him.
No Difference Between Biden and Harris
As soon as Kamala Harris had officially started her campaign the odds had shifted drastically in her favor to represent the Democratic Party this November, and her odds to win the White House were also on the move. Before the debate Joe Biden sat as the presumptive favorite to win re-election. The debate brought that number down to a slight underdog, and when there was an attempt on Donald Trump's life and the heroic aftermath, Biden's odds dipped once more. When the dust settled Joe Biden was about a 2 to 1 underdog to Trump and falling.
Trump's Eagle Settles It
This week President Trump played a round of gold with one of the world's best golfers in Bryson DeChambeau. Bryson and President Trump played a contest with an attempt to break 50 from the red tees.The man who just about two weeks ago avoided an asassination attempt was on his A game for the contest, and the sports world took notice. President Trump not only looked good on the course but he also scored a solo eagle. If you understand golf you will understand how incredible of a feat that was.The X universe (formerly known as Twitter), exploded with video of the 45th president's shot and the shocked and giddy reaction of DeChambeau matched the swing itself. For many golf insiders an eagle is almost as difficult as a hole in one but for a 78 years old that is an even more impressive shot. Trump continued to impress on the day but all anyone will remember is that eagle. Joe Biden claimed to have a 6 handicap, but this all but settles the golf debate.
Ex-Duck Back to the Bigs
The Tampa Bay Rays called up right-handed pitcher Tyler Zuber this week. Zuber began the 2024 season with the Long Island Ducks, and was promoted to the Major Leagues by the Tampa Bay Rays to play against the Yankees in the Bronx.
The Mets Get Some Help From Long Island
Jackie Bradley Jr. has had quite the headline making couple of weeks on the Island. After setting the franchise record for most consecutive games with a hit for the Long Island Ducks, a week later the Ducks have announced that his contract has been purchased by the New York Mets organization.
Sell The Farm - Yankees Trade Targets
The Bombers have some pretty obvious holes. Third base has been a major need all season long. Oswaldo Cabrera isn't the answer and despite his contract DJ the Machine, hasn't looked anything like his old self with just three extra base hits all season. The bullpen is an issue as well and needs more than just one piece, but a lefty reliever is a must have. The fanbase would also like a starter and impact bat, but as the want list gets longer, the competition to fill those needs gets greater.Here are the most likely Yankee trade targets to watch in the next week plus:
Mascot Ban Hits Suffolk
Half Hollow Hills East will change its nickname from the Thunderbirds to the Red Hawks. The symbol, nickname and mascot will all be changed to reflect the new name, but the school will keep its primary school colors of black and red. They plan to make the change when students return this fall.
Meet The New Mets?
Addressing the bullpen will be crucial. The Mets don't even know if they can trust their high paid closer Edwin Diaz so this is a must add at the break if they want to compete. The Amazin's likely aren't willing to part with big names for a guy like Mason Miller with the whole league chasing the young fireballer. That leaves guys like Kyle Finnegan, but that's an in division deal which makes it unlikely, and Jason Adam. Adam clicks a lot of boxes for New York. He has been a set up man and a closer and can jockey between the two seamlessly. In this Mets bullpen getting the key outs will be more important than getting the last outs and Adam seems like a good fit for that role. The same can be said for his teammate Pete Fairbanks, the Rays know how to use relievers in multiple roles and are falling out of the race. Tampa is a good spot to buy from.If New York wants an arm they likely won't get into the Garrett Crochet or even Erik Fedde free for all, but some lower names might be good to eat innings. Players lik
TLaw Is Money In The Bank
With that said quarterbacks are one of the safer positions to project upside and health with. That leads us to an underrated asset this season in Trevor Lawrence. TLaw walked into the league with as much hype as any prospect not named Andrew Luck or John Elway. Lawrence's shine faded quickly after his disastrous coach led him to a first year mess, and naysayers are still loud after last season, but that is a good thing for finding value.
The Golden Boot Goes To ...
Setteducate scored 18 goals in her first season of W League play for the Long Island Rough Riders. The Riders went unbeaten with a 10-0-2 record en route to its first W League postseason victory in the Eastern Conference Semifinal. As a forward, Setteducate started in 10 of the team's 12 matches, ended the year with 18 goals and five assists and she added a goal in the postseason.
A Duck Goes Streaking
That is how you break a record in style. With that home run Bradley now is the franchise leader with a 26 game hitting streak. He needed that home run early because although he reached base three times on the night, that would be his only hit to continue the streak.
Trumpamaniacs Are Running Wild
Locally, Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner, who later admitted he has never voted before, posted a picture of Trump and wrote "ladies & gentlemen.....President Donald Trump." That should make Jets team owner Woody Johnson happy as he tweeted out "President Trump makes me proud to be an American. He's always been a fighter and will continue to do so."
Sachem's Schlesinger Selected
Taken #113 overall in this year's Major League Baseball draft the big lefty has been one of the most talked about prospects and he lands with an organization that is known for developing young arms. The Cleveland Guardians are widely considered one of the best farm systems for young pitchers having produced Shane Bieber, Tanner Bibee, Emmanuel Clase and most recently Gavin Williams to name just a few, and now Schlesinger. He is the first Sachem player since 2014 when Alec Sole went to Tampa in the 18th round and is the 10th Sachem player to be drafted all time.
Bowman Added To The Ball Club
"Nicole Bowman is a home-run hire for our program, our student-athletes and our athletics department. First and foremost, she is an outstanding person of high character. Nicole knows the game and understands coaching and succeeding at a high level. She knows recruiting and the importance of finding student-athletes who fit our program and University," Bryant said. "Nicole will be a tremendous mentor and teacher for our players. She will bring a strong passion for softball and for developing student-athletes on and off the field. Our staff welcomes Nicole to the Seawolves' softball family and Stony Brook University. We look forward to working together as we continue to build a successful program in the CAA."
Move Over Joe ... Biden Is Not The Favorite
Kamala Harris has closed the gap and now is the overwhelming favorite to win the Democratic nomination. Harris has watched her numbers skyrocket since before the first presidential debate this year. Immediately following the debate Joe Biden's numbers tumbled and there were a slew of names that were his likely successors, but Harris was not leading the field. After the attempted assasination and multiple Biden blunders she has steadily become the favorite. Before the Republican National Convention both Biden and Harris were very close with Harris about even money. Since it was announced that Joe had Covid that propelled Harris into the driver's seat and she now sits at just under 2 to 1 to win the nomination.
Welcome Aboard Mark
"I am really looking forward to adding Mark to a really talented group of assistant coaches," Ford said. "He has been at the highest level of college basketball and should be able to help our players develop on and off the floor. I think he will be a rising star in the business because of his ability to develop players and his tremendous work ethic."
Who Are The Mets?
As we now enter the break the question still lingers for Mets fans. Who are they? The Mets are hovering right around .500 and have been playing much better as the weather has gotten warmer. The Amazin's are right in the thick of the Wild Card chase and entering this weekend have a spot in the playoffs, yet they are also linked to be one of the biggest sellers in the next two weeks.
Who's To Blame?
Boone has caught much of the heat, and he is an easy target. Just in the past month the boys in pinstripes have nonchalantly fielded a ball in center field that looked as though he didn't want to be there, routinely jogged out hits and even got caught jogging home, causing a run to not score. Aaron Boone defends these actions and the fans are fed up with the skipper, who in their own words will say has been a failure for not delivering another World Series ring.
Daily Feed
Suffolk Police: 15-Year-Old Stabs Grandmother to Death
Suffolk County Police arrested a 15-year-old boy who they claim stabbed his mother and fatally stabbed his grandmother in Selden.
Encourage Kids to Pursue Building Trades
I don’t know how parents push their kids with a clear conscience to attend an Ivy League School, receive a useless gender studies degree, or take their Sanskrit diploma and get a job pouring specialty drinks at your local coffee shop, all the while going into a massive debt that you can never, ever pay back.
Readmission Season: DA’s Office to Regain Federable Equitable Sharing Program Funding
Congressmen Garbarino and LaLota assisted on the approx. $13 million victory for DA Tierney.