OF McGARITY, LAFRENIERE, BANTON

 Say this for AARON McGARITY … the thrower of baseballs from Richmond has spunk. He refuses to give up … After seven years in the Yankees’ organization, with occasional success but not nearly enough – compounded by Tommy John surgery two years ago – the slender righthander joined the White Sox organization shortly before spring training … and was sent to AAA Charlotte … where the ball park is notorious for the long ball. In the Knights’ home opener, the teams combined for eight home runs. “If I can do well here, I should attract some attention,” McGarity said. “The body feels good. The arm feels great.”

A Virginia Tech alumnus, who was a 15^th round draft choice of 

New York in 2017, the 6-3, 185 pounder spent 2023 in 

Scranton/Wilkes -Barre, Pa., with the AAA Railriders and had 

one of his best seasons … 6-4, 5.17 in a team-high 51 games – 

all but one in relief. Nevertheless, the pitching-poor Yankees 

released McGarity, who lost some zip on his fastball but 

learned to make up for it with an assortment of off-speed and 

breaking deliveries.

He spent several weeks in Puerto Rico. The White Sox liked 

what they saw. “Actually, they were the only ones to take a 

chance on me,” McGarity said ... In four games to date, 5 1/3 

innings -- all in relief, he is 1-0 with a 13.50 ERA. Of his eight 

runs allowed, three went over the fence. With the Railriders a 

year ago, he was a middle reliever. With the Chisox, who are 

vying with Miami of the National League for the worst team in 

MLB, he wasn’t sure what his exact role would be. In fact, 

McGarity is listed as a starter in the organization although he is 

reasonably sure he won’t be called on in that capacity … “The 

only role you have is to be ready to go when they call your 

name,” he said.

McGarity was born ready … full of vim and vigor … and 

confidence that some day he will live his dream of throwing a 

pitch in the big leagues. He’s 29 now … but his goal hasn’t 

changed … “It’s play until they tell me I can’t,” McGarity said. 

“If a team wants to sign me. I’ll play until I’m 50. This is my 

life. It is what I want to do.”

HAS ANYBODY in the history of the NHL failed to convert 

more one-on-one scoring chances than the Rangers’ ALEXI 

LAFRENIERE? … He leads the league in shaking his head, I 

can’t believe I missed that open shot … again! Nevertheless, the 

former No. 1 (overall) draft choice (2020) has had a breakout 

campaign with 28 goals including one (of four) Monday night 

in the regular-season finale against woeful Ottawa ... And just 

in time for the 5-11, 200 pound forward who had been labeled – 

with justification – a bust … until put on a line with ARTEMI 

PANARIN and VINCENT TROCHECK. Between them they 

had 123 regular-season assists … Panarin (49-71 – 120) should 

be in the conversation for league’s Hart Memorial Trophy but 

will have to settle for team MVP … with such free-wheeling, 

untouchables as NIKITA KUSCHEROV (Tampa Bay),

 CONNOR McDAVID (Edmonton) and AUSTON 

MATTHEWS (Toronto) ahead of him on the point parade.

…. which brings to mind a conversation we had with former 

Richmond Robin STEVE COATES. This was back in 

December. Coates retired after 40-years-plus of working 

Philadelphia Flyers games on radio and TV. So tell us, Coatsey, 

how much do you miss it? … “I don’t miss it at all,” he said. 

“The game has changed so much. They’ve taken the contact out 

of the game. Nobody hits anybody any more. And, when they 

do, it’s a penalty.”

FINALLY … DALANO BANTON … Remember the name. 

He’s the poster child for what the NBA has become … The 6-9 

Portland Trailblazer missed all 15 of his three-point attempts … 

as well as 20 of 26 shots from inside the arc … and it could 

have been much worse if he hadn’t been hit with two technicals 

and was ejected. Portland lost 121-82 in its season finale to 

Sacremento. 

Until next time ...