South Shore Press Sports Director Tom Barton went “around the world” with Reporter Stefan Mychajliw this week, breaking down his red-hot Super Bowl betting streak, pointed comments from New York baseball stars, and a major coaching change at William Floyd High School.
Stefan Mychajliw: I gotta tell you, you’re the man when it comes to Super Bowl bets. On punts, you said take eight or more and the first-half under. You nailed it.
Tom Barton: “7 for 7 on prop plays. I told people it was going to be a boring game — over seven punts. I didn’t even care who won. Everywhere I went on radio, they asked what I liked. I said punts and the under. When they hit like that on a game that size, yeah, it’s good to be me.”
Mychajliw: Let’s go from sports betting to baseball. What’s shaking with the Yankees?
Barton: “Giancarlo Stanton said to put on a Yankee uniform means championships. You love hearing that because it hasn’t felt like everyone believes it. And Aaron Judge said he was waiting all winter for the Yankees to do something. His words were, ‘We’re the Yankees. Go sign somebody.’ He’s too classy to call out Hal or Cashman, but that’s exactly how the fans feel.”
Mychajliw: Now let’s switch gears to the Mets.
Barton: “The hamate bone injury to Francisco Lindor jumps out. It’s a hook-shaped bone in the hand, and it can sap your power for two to three months. There’s pressure on this team, especially after letting Pete Alonso go. And now Steve Cohen is saying he can spend like the Dodgers. Mets fans are sitting back saying, ‘Okay, let’s see it.’”
Mychajliw: There's also big changes for William Floyd football?
Barton: “Legendary coach Paul Longo leaves, and Pete Friedman steps in. I went through his resume — I don’t know if I’ve read a more impressive coaching resume stepping into such a high-profile job. The kids know him, the community knows him. When you lose a legend, it’s hard to replace him. If there’s anybody you want replacing him, it’s Pete.”