Yankees Closer Clay Holmes's Mesmerizing Pitch Overlay Had MLB Fans in Awe
2 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

Yankees Closer Clay Holmes’s Mesmerizing Pitch Overlay Had MLB Fans in Awe

New York Yankees closer Clay Holmes has been lights out thus far into the 2024 season, and that continued during Wednesday night's matchup against the Baltimore Orioles.

Holmes pitched 1 2/3 innings on Wednesday, picking up his league-best 10th save of the season. During the outing, his 15th consecutive scoreless appearance of the campaign, Holmes had some nasty bite on his breaking pitches.

Orioles hitters simply couldn't keep up with the range of breaking pitches he was serving up, and a pitch overlay video of Holmes's 97-mph sinker and 85-mph sweeper, courtesy of Rob Friedman, offered a prime example as to why his pitches have proven largely unhittable.

Holmes's sinker runs sharply back over the plate, with some seriously nasty late bite. Meanwhile, the sweeper breaks hard to the outside (against right-handed hitters), making for a truly devastating combination.

The pitch overlay video had MLB fans in awe, as the baseball world could all agree that facing the 31-year-old seems like an unfair battle for any hitter.

Clay Holmes, MLB, New York Yankees
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Ryan Garcia Tested Positive for PED Before Fight vs. Devin Haney, per Source
2 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

Ryan Garcia Tested Positive for PED Before Fight vs. Devin Haney, per Source

Ryan Garcia recent boxing win over Devin Haney now might be stained with an asterisk.

The 25-year-old boxer tested positive for the banned performance-enhancing substance Ostarine in a VADA test, Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix reported Wednesday.

The samples were taken before his fight against Haney on April 20 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Garcia has 10 days to request that his B-sample is tested.

"You trying to hurt my baby," Bill Haney, the father and trainer of Devin Haney, said to Sports Illustrated. "We played it fair. We didn’t do it like that. F--- boxing, this is some bulls---. I came from the streets. You scared of Devin on a level playing field. I feel f---ed up over this. If you can brag about doing it, you shouldn’t be on drugs."

Mannix also reported that the New York State Athletic Commission will investigate the VADA results. The commission could overturn the result of the Haney–Garcia fight to a no-contest.

Haney entered the fight with an undefeated 31–0 career record. Garcia only has one loss on his record, falling to Gervonta Davis in 2023.

Boxing, Devin Haney, Ryan Garcia
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Injured Timberwolves Coach Jokes Mike Conley Should Be Stripped of NBA Award
2 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

Injured Timberwolves Coach Jokes Mike Conley Should Be Stripped of NBA Award

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley won his second career NBA Teammate of the Year award on Wednesday, but one member of the organization joked it should be taken away because of a recent incident.

In the closing minutes of the Timberwolves' 122–116 win over the Phoenix Suns in Game 4 on Sunday, Conley crashed into coach Chris Finch after he was bumped out of bounds. Finch went down hard and suffered a torn patellar tendon in his right knee. He had to be helped off the court.

When Finch heard the news Wednesday about Conley being honored as the league's top teammate, he reached out with a witty quip.

"He wanted to put a word in about me winning that award," Conley said on KFAN on Wednesday evening. "He wants to veto it because I hurt him."

Finch underwent surgery Wednesday to repair his knee. It's unclear if he'll be able to return to the court and coach the Timberwolves on Saturday in Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinal series against the Denver Nuggets.

"He's still got his jokes and stuff so it seems like he's in good spirits," Conley said. "Hopefully the recovery process is that so he's able to come on the trip [to Denver] and be there for the first few games."

Conley also won the Teammate of the Year award in 2019, his final season with the Memphis Grizzlies. This year, he edged runner-ups Mikal Bridges of the Brooklyn Nets and New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson to take home the hardware.

The Timberwolves surprised Conley with the news after practice Wednesday.

"It's honestly an honor," Conley said on KFAN. "Anytime I get mentioned with the guys who are up for the award, I feel grateful and thankful to be up there. But to win the award is something that means a lot to me."

Chris Finch, Mike Conley, Minnesota Timberwolves
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Travis Kelce Reacts to Chiefs Selecting Speedster Xavier Worthy in 2024 Draft
2 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

Travis Kelce Reacts to Chiefs Selecting Speedster Xavier Worthy in 2024 Draft

The Kansas City Chiefs didn't wait long to bolster their offense in the 2024 NFL draft last week, trading up to select Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy with the No. 28 pick.

Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce was elated when he learned about his team's choice.

"It's looking like [quarterback Patrick Mahomes] has another extremely fast man to throw the ball deep to," Kelce said on the latest episode of the New Heights podcast. "Or just get the ball in his hands—a lot of his highlights you see him catch the ball, and he's splitting defenders and making guys miss.

"He's an all-around football guy, he's not just track speed."

Kelce, who has led Kansas City in receiving in four of the past five years, should only benefit from the addition of Worthy's blazing speed to the offense. The Chiefs were a top-six NFL offense in points and/or yards in five straight seasons from 2017 to '21 with Kelce and speedster Tyreek Hill running routes for Mahomes.

Worthy, of course, shattered an NFL combine record by running the 40-yard dash in 4.21 seconds, narrowly edging John Ross's mark of 4.22 seconds set in 2017.

"You've got to have a bit of fearlessness if you're going to be that fast playing football," Kelce said. "Getting hit at speeds like that is a little dangerous."

The defending champion Chiefs will get the whole group together later this month for the first day of organized team activities May 20.

Kansas City Chiefs, Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Xavier Worthy
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NBA Admits Tyrese Maxey Traveled on Pivotal Four-Point Play in 76ers–Knicks
1 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

NBA Admits Tyrese Maxey Traveled on Pivotal Four-Point Play in 76ers–Knicks

Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey stole the show Tuesday night, scoring seven points in the final 25 seconds to force overtime and eventually defeat the New York Knicks in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series at Madison Square Garden.

But on Wednesday, the NBA revealed in its Last Two Minute Report that one of Maxey's game-changing plays in the final minute shouldn't have counted. He traveled before launching a three-pointer from 25 feet with 25 seconds remaining.

"Maxey gathers the ball on his left foot, takes two legal steps, and then moves his right foot again just before he is fouled on his shot," the report indicates.

Instead, no traveling violation was called, and Maxey drilled the three-pointer and the free throw to cut the Knicks' lead to two points.

If the travel had been called, the Knicks would've been awarded the ball with a six-point lead and 25 seconds left. The 76ers would be forced to foul, and the game likely ends in a Knicks win if they avoided turnovers and knocked down free throws.

The Last Two Minute Report also indicated that Knicks guard Josh Hart was not out of bounds with 41 seconds left in overtime when he tried to tap a loose ball to teammate Isaiah Hartenstein underneath the basket.

Instead of Hartenstein getting a chance to tie the game at 108, it was ruled a turnover. The 76ers went on to outscore the Knicks 4–0 the rest of the game to secure the victory.

The Knicks, up 3–2 in the series, will get another chance to end Philadelphia's season on Thursday in Game 6 at Wells Fargo Center.

New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, Tyrese Maxey
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Devastatingly Unlucky Sequence for PSG Could Come Back to Haunt UCL Dreams
1 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

Devastatingly Unlucky Sequence for PSG Could Come Back to Haunt UCL Dreams

PSG was held scoreless during the first leg of its UEFA Champions League match against Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday, as the team failed to put one past Gregor Kobel during what was a 1–0 defeat.

During the 52nd minute, the Parisian side was left in despair after a series of excellent looks on goal from Kylian Mbappé and Achraf Hakimi ricocheted off either post.

Mbappé opened things up with a beautiful shot that got past the extended reach of Kobel but deflected off the far post. Mbappé received the rebound and attempted another shot, which was blocked, but bounced favorably for Hakimi, who charged in with a shot of his own.

Hakimi's attempt drilled off the left post and rolled across the front of the goal, still somehow not crossing the goal line. The ball was recovered along the end line and whipped back into the center of the field, where Mbappé raced forth but narrowly missed out on a leaping header.

That trio of missed opportunities were PSG's best goalscoring chances of the game, and they failed to capitalize. They'll be back at the Parc des Princes for the second leg on Tuesday, May 7, where they'll look to overcome the 1–0 deficit and pull off the comeback win to secure a spot in the Champions League final.

Borussia Dortmund, Champions League, Kylian Mbappe, PSG
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UConn Starting Quarterback Enters Transfer Portal As Huskies Pickup Former Wisconsin Backup
1 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

UConn Starting Quarterback Enters Transfer Portal As Huskies Pickup Former Wisconsin Backup

University of Connecticut starting quarterback Ta'Quan Roberson announced his entrance in to the transfer portal on Wednesday, the final day that football players could do so for 2024 spring transfer window.

In 2022, Roberson suffered a season-ending leg injury in the first game of the season. He bounced back healthy in 2023, playing 11 games for the Huskies and completing 197 passes on 338 attempts for 2075 yards. He threw 12 touchdowns with six interceptions while rushing for two touchdowns and catching one.

RELATED: 2023 MAC Offensive Player of the Year Transferring Again

Prior to UConn, Roberson spent three seasons with Penn State where he appeared in five games. The New Jersey native was originally a four-star high school prospect in the class of 2019.

Roberson's departure comes at an interesting time given his status as the regular starter. UConn earned a commitment from former Oklahoma and Wisconsin quarterback Nick Evers committed to the Huskies on Wednesday as well. UConn also has former Maine starting quarterback Joe Fagnano on the roster. Those two should be the frontrunners for the Huskies' starting job in 2024.

UConn open the 2024 season on August 31 at Maryland.

college football quarterback transfer portal, college football transfer portal, Huskies, Joe Fagnano, News, Nick Evers, Oklahoma, ONE, Penn State, quarterback, TaQuan Roberson, transfer, Transfer News, Transfer Portal, transfer portal news, UConn
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Jacoby Brissett 'Excited' to Compete With Drake Maye for Patriots Starting QB Role
1 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

Jacoby Brissett ‘Excited’ to Compete With Drake Maye for Patriots Starting QB Role

The New England Patriots signed quarterback Jacoby Brissett to a one-year contract this offseason, and went on to select UNC quarterback Drake Maye with No. 3 pick in the 2024 NFL draft.

These two quarterback decisions set up a competition for the starting role in 2024. The previous starter, Mac Jones, was sent to the Jacksonville Jaguars back in March.

Most quarterbacks would likely feel nervous about the intense quarterback battle, especially against a top draft pick, but Brissett is more excited about the aspect of competition than anything.

"That's all out of my control, so I don't really worry about that. I'm excited to have him on the team, and the other guys as well that we drafted and picked up. I think it's going to be good," Brissett said, via ESPN. "Competition brings out the best in all of us, so I'm excited about that part."

Whoever earns the starting quarterback role will be the first starter under new coach Jerod Mayo. Longtime coach Bill Belichick parted ways with the team after 24 seasons.

Brissett is coming off a one-year stint with the Washington Commanders in which he appeared in three games. He threw for 224 yards and three touchdowns.

Drake Maye, Jacoby Brissett, new england patriots
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Clippers Used Savage Arena Advertisement to Troll Mavericks Ahead of Game 5
1 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

Clippers Used Savage Arena Advertisement to Troll Mavericks Ahead of Game 5

The Los Angeles Clippers are set to host the Dallas Mavericks at Crypto.com Arena on Wednesday night for Game 5 of their opening round playoff series, which is currently tied up 2–2.

Ahead of the clash, the Clippers took the opportunity to comically troll their opponent.

When Mavs players arrive at the arena for Wednesday night's game, they'll be greeted by a cleverly placed advertisement. Plastered on the side of the arena is a massive Skyscanner advertisement, hilariously depicting a flight offering direct from Dallas to CancĂșn.

"For great flights to CancĂșn, visit Skyscanner," reads the ad.

Of course, among NBA circles, there is not a more notorious postseason vacation destination than CancĂșn, and Los Angeles boldly hinted to the Mavs that it may be time to start doing some research on tickets and hotels in the area.

Regardless of how Game 5 plays out, the series won't be ending on Wednesday, as both teams need two more wins to clinch their place in the Western Conference semifinals. That gives Dallas and the American Airlines Center the perfect opportunity to clap back with some good-natured trolling of their own ahead of Game 6 on Friday night.

Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers, NBA
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Umpires Demand Brewers Pitcher Change Glove Despite Fact He Used It Previous Night
1 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

Umpires Demand Brewers Pitcher Change Glove Despite Fact He Used It Previous Night

If you like messy baseball, this week's three-game series between the Tampa Bay Rays and the surprising Milwaukee Brewers is the series for you.

On Tuesday, tensions between the two teams erupted into a bench-clearing brawl that led to four suspensions. Somehow, the Brewers found time to pull out an 8–2 victory—turning the tables on the Rays after they shut out Milwaukee 1–0 Monday.

In Wednesday's series finale, the hijinks continued. Late in the game, umpires asked Brewers pitcher Thyago Vieira to change his glove—seemingly oblivious to the fact that Vieira had used the same glove in the previous night's game.

Milwaukee's announcers on Bally Sports Wisconsin speculated that the change was due to the coloring of the removed glove, and chuckled at the fact that Vieira replaced it with a garish yellow one.

Seemingly unfazed by the change, Vieira hurled a scoreless ninth inning in a 7–1 Brewers win.

Milwaukee Brewers, MLB, Tampa Bay Rays, Thyago Vieira
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