HARD TO BELIEVE BUT WALKOFF CATCHER'S INTERFERENCE, FIRST SINCE 1971
Believe it or not …
Did you see where the Phillies beat the Red Sox on a
walkoff catcher’s interference? And when it was called,
everyone sort of shrugged … no argument, no nothing …
despite the batter, EMUNDO SOSA, reaching across the
plate to make contact on what was described as a check
swing. Check the replay. Says here he could have done it
deliberately. Then what?
Last time a game ended this way was … 1971 when the
Dodgers beat the Reds on interference by Hall of Fame
catcher JOHNNY BENCH.
**** Starting another brush fire, PRESIDENT
DONALD TRUMP says he wants the Washington
Football Team to drop unpopular COMMANDERS and
return to popular REDSKINS … which became a casualty
four years ago when former owner DANIEL SNYDER
ignored polls suggesting otherwise (by large, indisputable
margins) and backed the premise it was offensive to
Native Americans.
What really motivated Snyder was the opportunity to
make a lot of money peddling merchandise geared
directly to the new name and logo … but he was forced to
sell the franchise before he could cash in … and new
majority owner JOSH HARRIS told anyone who asked
the answer was a big NO … “We’re not going back,”
Harris said. ''I like the name Commanders, and it really
has taken off."
That was BDT (Before D Trump). Now several Native
Americans, prominent and otherwise, have joined the
chorus to restore the original name. Like JASON BUCK,
former Skins’ lineman (and Super Bowl XXVI
champion). He noted a recent poll that reported 90 per
cent of all respondents wanted “Redskins.”
“That’s just common sense,” Buck said. “We’re going to
fight for this … [and] I will be President Trump’s greatest
warrior.”
**** ERIC BISCHOFF is back … and seen pitching
something called “Real American Free Style Wrestling”
that will be seen on Fox. HULK HOGAN has lent –
make that sold -- his name to the competition … which,
apparently, will be the real deal, and not scripted (like the
pro rasslin’ world from which both hustler Bischoff and
“The Hulkster” Hogan come)
“The world needs this,” said LANCE PALMER, one of
the scheduled contestants.
We will be the judge of that. Series inaugural is August
30 in Cleveland … where about 800 tickets have been
sold for a 13,000-seat venue.
Now comes word Hogan, listed as RAFSW
commissioner, is recovering from heart surgery … while
there also have been conflicting reports of an ailing neck
and brain damage.
**** RJ FRIEDL, Cincinnati Reds’ centerfielder and
leadoff man, tied a record Friday he probably could do
without … becoming the 30th player in MLB history to be
hit-by-pitch three times in one game (by three different
pitchers). The Reds won 8-4 at the New York Mets …
Through Sunday, Friedl was seventh in HBP this season
with 11. Seattle’s RANDY AROZARENA led with 17
… In all, Friedl has been hit 40 times in 405 games since
joining the Reds in 2021.
From Sewickley, Pa., Friedl, who bats and throws left-
handed, holds another, more enviable major-league
record. In 2016, he received what’s said to be the largest
bonus ever given to an undrafted free agent, signing with
Cincinnati for $732,500 … then made his pro debut with
the Billings (Mont.) Mustangs of the Pioneer (Rookie)
League, hitting two home runs in his first game …
Joining the Reds Sept. 18, 2021, Friedl notched his first
hit the next night --- what else? A home run.
Until next time ...
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