NOTING 'THE GENIUS," McGARITY, BARKLEY, POCHETTINO ...

 It will be interesting to see what “The Genius,” NHL Rangers’ coach PETER LAVIOLETTE, does in Game 2 Friday (May 24) of the Cup playoffs to overcome a lethargic Game 1 against the Florida Panthers … and keep his quick-trigger Madison Square Garden fan base from mutiny … That Wednesday’s 3-0 decision was not built on the Panthers roughing up the home team, as expected, makes calls for re-inserting young, inexperienced tough guy MATT REMPE in the lineup almost comical … This was not a matter of the Rangers being pushed around but simply a superior effort by one team (both ends of the ice) that should, in itself, be a major cause for concern … In fact, Florida coach PAUL MAURICE noted his team could have played much better (so true) … allowing three clean breakaways that could have made a big difference in a game that saw another questionable call from Toronto that denied a Panthers’ goal for alleged goalie interference … Now there is some question ADAM FOX is playing hurt … but that still doesn’t account for a defense that is built to score goals and leave it up to goaltender IGOR SHESTERKIN to do more than his share … and still has managed only two goals in 12 post-season games … of which the Rangers now have lost three of four … Maybe “The Genius” will give ZAC JONES, who’s been a healthy scratch for 15 straight games and hasn’t played since April 7, a chance. Don’t count on it … Come to think about it … there hasn’t been much written about assistant coach PHIL HOUSLEY, the Hall of Famer and former head coach who was added to the staff ostensibly to make the defense better. Like Jones, who figured to be a prime beneficiary of his hockey wisdom, he’s seldom quoted by the Big Apple media. Something is going on there … and it isn’t good.

…… The Chicago White Sox have the worst record in MLB, so 

why not give AARON McGARITY a chance? The 29 year old 

right-hander from Richmond is 3-0 (4.95 ERA) in 20 innings of 

relief for the AAA International League Charlotte Knights, 

Chicago’s top minor-league farm team … that was seven games 

under .500 and in seventh place, 10 ½ behind, through 

Wednesday (May 22) … McGarity is one-for-one in the save 

department for the Chisox’ top farm … He signed with the New 

York Yankees out of Virginia Tech in 2017, missing the 2022 

season while recovering from Tommy John Surgery. Cut loose 

by New York, McGarity joined the White Sox organization in 

February … Still looking for his first major-league appearance, 

the 6-3, 185 pounder is not over-powering and relies on guile 

… but still averages more than nine strikeouts per nine innings.

…… Hire CHARLES BARKLEY at your own peril. The Round 

Mound of Rebound, 61, went off on his bosses at TNT, calling 

them clowns and jerks – among other things – for apparently 

losing the NBA to NBC … Say apparently because Warner 

Brothers, by contract, can match the Peacock’s reported bid of 

$2.5 billion annually … although there has been no indication 

that will happen especially since TNT is buying a college 

football package from ESPN that includes part of the 12-team 

championship series … Barkley has been a regular on TNT’s 

Emmy-winning studio show -- “Inside the NBA” -- that 

includes KENNY SMITH, SHAQUILLE O’NEAL and

 ERNIE JOHNSON … So, how much will they be missed? 

Comments range from “best show of all time” to “sometimes 

funny … often incoherent. They will not be missed.” 

…… Why not MAURICIO POCHETTINO to replace ERIK 

TEN HAG as Manchester United manager? Why not MP, 

indeed? He was considered a strong if apparently unwilling 

candidate for the ManU job several years ago. Now, he’s a free 

agent again, having left Chelsea by “mutual consent” after one 

year … They have to replace Ten Hag, don’t they?

Until next time …