Andersen didn't play - or dress - in the last three games as Brandon Bussi started and excelled for three consecutive wins. But the Hurricanes would not have reached the final without the play of Andersen, who went 12-1, with a 1.44 goals-against average and a .931 save percentage in the first three rounds.
"He's the reason we're here," Bussi told ABC. "He's a workhouse. I only got 3 1/2 games. He obviously deserves more of the credit. He's worked so hard for this and grinded so long."
Both Andersen and Vegas' Carter Hart had a tougher time in the final than in earlier rounds. Bussi went into the net in Game 3 with the Hurricanes trailing 4-0 in an eventual 5-4 double-overtime loss.
Coach Rod Brind'Amour told ABC on Sunday that Andersen was "a little nicked up" and "not 100 percent."
"I so proud of the team we have here," said Andersen, who has battled injuries in his 13-year NHL career. "It's shown throughout many years, but this year specifically. There's been so many guys stepping up at certain times and it just really shows how good of a team we've been."
One of those stepping up was Bussl.
The Hurricanes also used two goalies in their 2006 run as Cam Ward replaced Martin Gerber in the first round. Bussi's arrival happened later.
His arrival to the league also happened later as he picked up 31 wins at age 27 in 2025-26 when the Hurricanes gave him a chance at his first NHL action.
Bussi, now a household name, hugged Andersen and also Brind'Amour after the clinching shutout win.
"He believed in me," he said of Brind'Amour. "He gave me that shot. I'll always be forever grateful."
Rod Brind'Amour celebrates with the Stanley Cup on Sunday.Photograph: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images
Rod Brind’Amour is made for the playoffs. The Carolina Hurricanes coach made his NHL debut in the postseason in 1989, filling in for the St Louis Blues in a game against the Minnesota North Stars. He scored on his first shot. Still, it took him 17 seasons in the NHL before he hoisted the Stanley Cup in 2006 as captain of the Carolina Hurricanes, the team he has now led to another Cup win as head coach. “The fear of losing motivates you a lot of times,” he told reporters after that 2006 Cup win.
Wherever the motivation came from this year, the result is the same. The Hurricanes beat the Vegas Golden Knights 3-0 in Game 6 on Sunday to win the Stanley Cup for the second time in franchise history, exactly 20 years since they did it last.
Back in 2006, the Hurricanes were a semi-surprise entrant into the Final, having failed to qualify for the playoffs in each of the two seasons preceding the 2004-05 lockout (their prior trip to the postseason, in 2001-02, took them to the Final, which they lost to Detroit in five games). The history of the 2026 Hurricanes was different. Carolina’s Metropolitan division is a weird one, with the teams’ geographic proximity typically reflected in the tight standings. Season to season it’s difficult to predict exactly who will make the postseason (other than maybe Columbus). It’s a knife fight every time.
Except for the Hurricanes. In recent years, they’ve floated above the gyre but simultaneously drawn skepticism about whether they are actually any good, or just good versus the Metro. It was an earned reputation, as they lost in the Eastern finals in 2019, 2023, and 2025. The Hurricanes seemed to have enough gas to dominate the Metro and squeeze through a couple of postseason rounds, but that was where it always ended. What made 2026 different was then maybe not the fear of losing – how could they be? Part of what changed for the 2026 Hurricanes was a decision one of the Vegas Golden Knights made in the spring of 2025.
It’s weird to call Mitch Marner a breakout star of the playoffs since he’s been in the NHL for a decade, but that is essentially what he was. In this, his first season with Vegas, Marner posted 10 goals and 19 assists in the playoffs. His next closest total playoff point tally was 14 in 2023 when the Toronto Maple Leafs lost to the Florida Panthers in the second round. Last spring, the Leafs offered to trade Marner to Carolina, but he declined. Missing out on Marner, Carolina pivoted and sent Mikko Rantanen to Dallas for Logan Stankoven. In the process, Carolina banked picks and cap space and ultimately secured Nikolaj Ehlers from Winnipeg. As good as Marner was for Vegas, he didn’t quite outdo Stankoven and Ehlers, who combined for 15 and 17 points respectively, giving Carolina more offensive depth than they had before. On Sunday night in Vegas, Stankoven’s line gave Carolina the 2-0 lead and the insurance they ultimately needed to win.
But that the Hurricanes of all teams might be taken seriously at all by someone like Marner – an offensive talent with options – would have been a surprise to most people who saw the team land in Raleigh in 1997. One of the few remaining World Hockey Association franchises, the Hartford Whalers left Connecticut in 1997 after plummeting revenues and a dispute with the local government over a stadium (a familiar NHL tale). As with other moves to infiltrate the Southern US markets, many saw the relocation as a major gamble, made riskier by the fact that North Carolina’s affinity for college basketball all but ruled out, it was assumed, much room for too many other sports.
Sure enough, when the Hurricanes hit the ice in North Carolina, it was to a half-empty Greensboro Coliseum, which was a 90-minute drive from Raleigh, making the Hurricanes first season “one long, strange 82-game road trip,” as Sports Illustrated put it at the time. The Hurricanes “are like some down-on-its-luck country band playing in front of small crowds, in a small city, with no home and no hope.” The team’s name was the only thing about it that made sense, the magazine continued, “because thus far the NHL’s incursion into tobacco country has been a natural disaster.”
Brind’Amour changed that. The Hurricanes had been looking at Brind’Amour for a while – his name was floated as early as October 1997 as a possible trade for goalie Sean Burke, even as he had another two-and-a-half years in Philadelphia as a Flyer. Brind’Amour’s first few months with the Hurricanes were rocky, but he gradually became a fit. And post-lockout, he brought a renewed sense of purpose to his game. “I’ve been fortunate, so I’ve never taken a day for granted in this league,” Brind’Amour said back in 2006. At 35, he likely knew then that the window to win a Cup was closing, compounded by the lockout. “That has been the approach I’ve always had … We’re pretty fortunate to play this game for a living and we all know the importance of it.”
This year, it was captain Jordan Staal who hoisted the Cup first for the Hurricanes. Staal, 37, has been with the organization since 2012 and his relationship with Brind’Amour is credited as key to Carolina’s ongoing success. Staal had the best postseason of his career this spring, notching eight goals and four assists – good enough to earn him the Conn Smythe trophy as playoff MVP. In a post-game interview, Staal coincidentally [or maybe not] echoed Brind’Amour’s sentiment from 20 years ago. “Good time to get hot, eh?” he said when asked to explain how to account for his playoff performance. “I just wanted to win. I just wanted to win so bad.”
At age 37, Staal became the oldest player in NHL history to win the Conn Smythe Trophy.
Beyond the goal streak and the record, Staal was a defensive stalwart in the playoffs, shutting down Vegas star Jack Eichel among others.
Staal's streak, which ended in Game 6, tied him with Hall of Famers Yyan Cournoyer, Jean Beliveau, Maurice "Rocket" Richard and Fred "Cyclone" Taylor.
Staal picked up the second Stanley Cup title in his career. He also won with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2009, setting the mark for longest stretch between championships at 17 years. The previous mark of 16 years was held by Chris Chelios (1986 to 2002).
He got to lift the Stanley Cup first this time as Hurricanes captain. He handed off to Frederik Andersen, who helped the Hurricanes reach the final with stellar play in the first three rounds.
Former Calgary Flames first-round pick Mark Jankowski is now a Stanley Cup champion, winning the game's grandest prize with the Carolina Hurricanes. On Sunday night, the visiting Hurricanes defeated the Vegas Golden Knights in six games, winning the finale 3-0.
Jankowski played four seasons with Calgary, making his NHL debut at 22 in 2016-17. Moreover, his first NHL goal came on a pass from the legendary Jaromir Jagr. Eventually, he left the club via free agency, signing with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
After that one season in Pittsburgh, Jankowski took turns with the Buffalo Sabres and Nashville Predators before settling in with the Hurricanes in 2024-25.
During the 2025-26 season, he played 68 games with 11 goals and 21 points. In Carolina's run to the championship, he tallied one goal with four assists in 19 playoff games. Through 10 seasons in the NHL, Jankowski has 79 goals and 145 points in 482 career games.
Meanwhile, Jankowski beat two of his former Calgary teammates, Rasmus Andersson and Noah Hanifin, who were members of the Golden Knights.
Jun 14, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Carolina Hurricanes celebrate the win against the Vegas Golden Knights in game six of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images
Lucas Peltier/Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images
LAS VEGAS — The Carolina Hurricanes won their first Stanley Cup championship in 20 years on Sunday night, using a suffocating defense in Game 6 to shut down the Vegas Golden Knights 3-0 and winning three straight games of a thrilling final filled with momentum swings and spectacular offense.
Brandon Bussi, whose entrance late into Game 3 helped turn around the series for Carolina, recorded his first career playoff shutout in stopping 22 shots. Jackson Blake had a goal and assist, and Taylor Hall scored just 3:47 into the game to set the tone. Nikolaj Ehlers added an empty-net goal.
The Golden Knights, who made an unlikely run just to reach the final, struggled badly to muster any kind of offense in Game 6 and went 18:37 between shots on goal in the second and third periods. Playing in their third Cup final, this is the first time they have been shut out.
This clinching game was what many observers expected the series to be like between the defensive-minded teams, but each side watched leads of two-plus goals disappear in the first three games.
Now, the Cup belongs to the Hurricanes, led by coach Rod Brind’Amour, who also captained Carolina to its 2006 title.
This was the first game of the series that Vegas goalie Carter Hart didn’t allow four goals in a game. He finished with 20 saves.
The Hurricanes began to assume control of the series after falling behind by the score of 4-0 in Game 3. They came back force overtime, and though the Canes lost, they outplayed the Golden Knights from there on out.
Reflecting the do-or-die situation for the Golden Knights, they made several lineup changes, with Brett Howden replacing the injured William Karlsson at second-line center. Mitch Marner could have moved there, but remained at right wing.
Original Golden Knight Reilly Smith made his Cup final debut at third-line right wing and Braeden Bowman made his playoff debut at fourth-line right wing. Kaedan Korczak replaced Dyland Coghlan on the third defensive pairing.
The Winnipeg product completed a lifelong dream on Sunday night, helping lead the Carolina Hurricanes to the top of the hockey world with a four-games-to-two Stanley Cup Final victory over the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday.
Game Six concluded by way of a 3-0 final for Carolina on the road.
Photo by Nathan Seebeck/USA Today
For the 24-year-old forward, the championship marks the crowning achievement of what has already become one of Manitoba’s most impressive hockey stories.
Born and raised in Winnipeg, Jarvis has quickly developed from a promising local talent into one of the NHL’s brightest young stars. After starring with the Winnipeg Monarchs and the RINK Hockey Academy, Jarvis moved west to continue his development with the WHL’s Portland Winterhawks.
Selected 13th overall by Carolina in the 2020 NHL Draft, the former Assiniboine Park Ranger wasted little time establishing himself as a key piece of the Hurricanes’ core.
Known for his relentless motor, competitiveness and ability to produce in big moments, Jarvis has become exactly the type of player teams need to win in the postseason — and this spring, he proved it.
After years of knocking on the door, Carolina finally broke through.
The Hurricanes had been one of the NHL’s most consistent contenders in recent seasons, but repeatedly fell short of the ultimate goal. With Jarvis playing a major role, Carolina finally pushed past that barrier and captured the franchise’s first Stanley Cup since 2006.
He concluded the postseason with four goals and 11 points, including a huge overtime, game-winner in the second game of the Stanley Cup Final.
For Manitoba hockey fans, the victory adds another name to the province’s long list of Stanley Cup champions.
Jarvis joins a proud group of Winnipeg-born players who have lifted hockey’s greatest prize, adding his name to the most famous trophy in sports.
From playing minor hockey in Winnipeg to skating a Stanley Cup lap on the NHL’s biggest stage, Jarvis’ journey represents another major success story for Manitoba’s hockey community.
And at just 24 years old, there may still be plenty more to come.
Nikolaj Ehlers’ first season away from Winnipeg ended exactly the way every NHL player dreams.
After spending the first decade of his career chasing a Stanley Cup with the Winnipeg Jets, Ehlers finally reached hockey’s summit in his first season with the Carolina Hurricanes.
The former Jets forward became a Stanley Cup champion Sunday night, helping Carolina defeat the Vegas Golden Knights four games to two and capture the franchise’s first championship since 2006. The Canes picked up a shutout win in Game 6 in Vegas on Sunday.
For Ehlers, it was the easiest goal of the playoffs, but the most important. He pumped the puck into the empty net with 1:08 remaining, as he finished off the Golden Knights by way of the 3-0 final.
Photo by Lucas Peltier/USA Today
It was a storybook ending to a whirlwind year for the Danish winger.
Originally selected ninth overall by Winnipeg in the 2014 NHL Draft, Ehlers spent 10 seasons as one of the most dynamic offensive players in Jets history.
With his elite skating ability, creativity and game-breaking speed, Ehlers became a fan favourite in Manitoba and one of the most productive players to ever wear a Jets 2.0 jersey.
During his time in Winnipeg, Ehlers appeared in more than 600 regular-season games and recorded more than 500 points, placing himself among the franchise’s all-time leaders in several offensive categories.
But despite multiple strong Jets teams, playoff success proved difficult to find.
Winnipeg advanced to the Western Conference Final in 2018 and remained competitive throughout Ehlers’ tenure, but the group was never able to take the final step.
"I loved being in Winnipeg," an emotional Ehlers said post-game. "This was the dream there. I'm obviously sad I wasn't able to do that with the guys in Winnipeg and the city of Winnipeg. They hold a special place in my heart. They're family."
"The whole organization gave me a shot at playing in the NHL. I couldn't be more thankful. Like I said, it was a hard decision this summer. I loved my 10 years in Winnipeg. It was a special time."
Following his departure from the Jets, Ehlers joined a Hurricanes team built around speed, pressure and depth - a system perfectly suited for his skill set.
The fit was immediate.
Carolina’s aggressive style allowed Ehlers to thrive, while his offensive creativity gave the Hurricanes another dangerous weapon as they pushed toward a championship.
For Jets fans, the moment is likely bittersweet.
Ehlers spent years trying to bring a Stanley Cup to Winnipeg and remained one of the organization’s most beloved players throughout his time with the franchise. While the championship did not come in a Jets uniform, one of the most popular players in team history finally got his moment.
Ehlers concluded the postseason with eight goals and 18 points for the Hurricanes.
After years of playoff heartbreak, injuries and near misses, Ehlers’ wait is over. The Dashing Dane is a Stanley Cup champion.
We're less than two weeks away from the start of the 2026 NHL Draft, and one player who could be on the Pittsburgh Penguins' radar is defenseman Tommy Bleyl.
Bleyl played for the Moncton Wildcats in the QMJHL during the 2025-26 season and put up some ridiculous numbers, finishing with 13 goals and 81 points in 63 games. His season was so impressive that he won the Defenseman of the Year Award in the QMJHL.
He was also fantastic in the playoffs, compiling six goals and 28 points in 21 games. This was his first season with the Wildcats, and he made sure it was a memorable one.
The first thing that jumps out about his game is his shoot-first mentality. He loves to shoot from the point and look for deflections from his teammates. However, when he has time, he can really rifle the puck, and one of my favorite examples came from a Wildcats game against the Cape Breton Eagles. Bleyl took a pass at the center of the blue line, skated in a little bit, and absolutely sniped the puck to give his team a 2-1 lead.
Bleyl's also an exceptional skater and can get going on a dime. A great example of this was also from a game between the Wildcats and Eagles when Bleyl corralled the puck in his own zone and started skating down the left side. He gained the red line with ease before skating into the offensive zone and made a beautiful power move to the front of the net while protecting the puck on his backhand. At the last second, he moved the puck to his forehand and rifled it top shelf to cut the deficit to 4-3.
Another example of this came during a Wildcats' game against the Val-d'Or Foreurs. He started behind his own cage and came across his own blue lines before skating through the entire penalty kill by himself. The play ended with Bleyl going to his backhand for a beautiful goal.
These two plays are just a taste of what he can do as a skater. The skating mechanics are great and they allow him to do things with the puck that others can't.
Bleyl quarterbacked the top power play throughout the year and did an excellent job. He has great vision from the point, allowing him to find passing lanes as soon as they open. He can make players miss with some really smooth moves and knows when to activate deeper in the offensive zone.
The offensive game is all there, whether it's his release, skating, playmaking, or stickhandling. Heck, his transition game is also spectacular to watch.
Defensively, he has an active stick in his own zone, allowing him to win some battles along the boards. His gap control is also solid and helps disrupt players as they try to come into the zone with control. He could still be better at defending in front of his own net, but that will probably come as he gets bigger and puts on more muscle. For reference, he's listed at only 170 lbs, but that should change when he plays for Michigan State.
Michigan State is a great place for Bleyl to go to since it's one of the top college hockey programs in the country and has a history of developing some really good NHL players.
Like a few of the other players I have profiled, I'd be more than comfortable with the Penguins taking Bleyl with the No. 22 pick if he's still on the board.
BOSTON (AP) — Wyatt Langford hit Connelly Early’s first pitch over the Green Monster completely out of Fenway Park, and Kyle Higashioka launched a three-run homer to help the Texas Rangers avert a three-game sweep with a 6-4 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Sunday night.
Justin Foscue had three hits and Brandon Nimmo added two doubles and two RBIs for the Rangers, who finished a 3-3 trip.
Willson Contreras hit a pair of solo homers and had three hits for the Red Sox, who were looking for their first series sweep at Fenway this season.
There was a lively atmosphere at the ballpark, with Scotland’s Tartan Army on hand for what the Red Sox billed as “Scottish Heritage Celebration Night.” Numerous times, soccer fans in town for the World Cup broke into chants of “No Scotland, no party!”
Coming in 0-3 in his last four starts, Texas right-hander Nathan Eovaldi (6-7) pitched seven strong innings, allowing three runs and six hits with six strikeouts.
Coming in 0-3 in his last four starts, Texas right-hander Nathan Eovaldi (6-7) pitched seven strong innings, allowing three runs and six hits with six strikeouts.
Jacob Latz got four outs for his 11th save.
Early (5-5) had his worst start of the season, getting tagged for six runs and 11 hits in 4 2/3 innings.
Higashioka also sent his homer over the Green Monster in left field, making it 4-0 in the second.
Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said shortstop Corey Seager, who missed his third straight game, is dealing with a mild concussion from his collision at home plate with Kansas City catcher Carter Jansen on Thursday.
Up next
Rangers: LHP MacKenzie Gore (4-5, 4.18 ERA) starts Monday at home against Minnesota.
Red Sox: LHP Payton Tolle (3-3, 2.70) pitches Tuesday at Fenway Park in the opener of a three-game series against Toronto.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 14: Members of Scotland's "Tartan Army" march to Fenway Park before a game between the Texas Rangers and the Boston Red Sox on June 14, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before, but the Red Sox failed to win a game at Fenway Park. It was ugly from the jump, with Connelly Early’s first pitch of the night going for a home run. In the second inning, after a few runners reached base, he left a changeup over the plate that was also sent over the fence, giving the Rangers a 4-0 lead. Willson Contreras followed with a solo home run in the bottom half, and the Red Sox were able to push another run across after a walk, a single, and a groundout, but couldn’t extend the rally. In the fourth, the Rangers grabbed two more runs when Early again left a pitch over the plate, this time off the wall for a double.
The bullpen did its job, keeping the Rangers off the board for the final 4.1 innings of the game, but the offense wasn’t able to do enough against Nathan Eovaldi and a really strong Rangers bullpen. Jacob Latz came in with two outs in the eighth inning and was nearly perfect, retiring all four batters he faced to record his 11th save of the season. It’s an off day on Monday before a three-game set with the Blue Jays at Fenway Starts on Tuesday.
Three Studs
Willson Contreras
Two bombs. Get that man to the All-Star game.
Ryan Watson
Two scoreless innings to keep the score where it was and save the bullpen. Solid.
The Tartan Army
I love having the Scots here in Boston. Yeah, they’re on a once-in-a-lifetime vacation, so obviously they’re in a good mood, but they’re just constantly having fun and bringing good vibes. I biked around the city on Friday morning, and Boston Common was lively with bagpipes and kilts and all of that. On Sunday, the crowd was as loud as it’s been all season, thanks to the Tartan Army. Go Scotland.
Three Duds
Connelly Early
The home run ball once again ruined Early’s night. He’s left the ball over the plate far too often this season, which has gone for home runs. He also seriously labored through the fourth inning. If the Red Sox’s season continues to go how it is, I can’t help but wonder if it would be beneficial to cap his innings. He’s never thrown over 100 innings in a season, and he’s already at 75 on the season.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 14: Fans in the Green Monster react as they attempt to catch a home run ball hit by Wyatt Langford #36 of the the Texas Rangers during the first inning of a game against the Boston Red Sox on June 14, 2026 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Texas Rangers scored six runs while the Boston Red Sox scored four runs.
The Red Sox must not enjoy tidying up as the Rangers were able to keep them from sweeping with a win in tonight’s finale. It was a frustrating couple of games for the Rangers over the weekend in Boston but they came out quite literally swinging in front of the primetime audience on NBC.
On the game’s first pitch, leadoff designated hitter Wyatt Langford sent one 418 ft over the Green Monster to give the Rangers an early 1-0 lead. By the end of the top of the second, it was already 4-0 Texas as catcher Kyle Higashioka connected for a three-run dong, giving the Rangers what they’d been missing for much of this road trip with a big extra base hit with runners on base.
In the bottom of the second, however, the Red Sox signaled that the game wouldn’t just devolve into a laugher as they scored two runs off Texas starter Nathan Eovaldi to halve Texas’ lead.
The Rangers were up for scoring more runs in ways they’ve struggled with as Brandon Nimmo doubled in two runs on a bases loaded opportunity in the fourth inning. That double made it 6-2 to give Eovaldi a lot of runway as he eventually finished allowing three runs on six hits and a walk to go along with six strikeouts over seven innings of work.
The third Red Sox run came in the sixth when Willson Contreras connected for his second solo home run off Eovaldi, as he did his best Wilyer Abreu impression against Texas this weekend. Speaking of Abreu, he drove in Boston’s fourth run of the night — because of course he did — in the eighth to cut the lead to just two.
However, with two on, Jacob Latz came in and got the Rangers out of the eighth inning jam and then pitched a clean ninth to allow Texas to claim the finale and finish with an even road trip.
Player of the Game: Eovaldi deserves credit for putting in seven innings for a quality start on 94 pitches as he helped to save the bullpen during this long stretch.
In addition, Brandon Nimmo doubled twice and drove in two runs with his first double coming on a dreaded bases loaded chance. Justin Foscue had three hits before being lifted to get his glove off the field. Cody Freeman had two hits and drew a walk.
Kyle Higashioka had two hits, including the big hit of the night with his three-run home run to give the Rangers a four run lead. Wyatt Langford hit a home run, walked, and scored twice out of the leadoff spot. And Latz was Latz (1.1 IP, 0 R, 2 K) and Latz is good.
Good stuff all around.
Up Next: The Rangers immediately hop a plane back to Arlington to open up a series against the American League Central’s Minnesota Twins beginning tomorrow night. Texas will send LHP MacKenzie Gore to the mound to begin the series while Minnesota hasn’t yet named a starter for the opener.
Monday’s first pitch from The Shed is scheduled for 7:05 pm CDT and you can can head back over to watch it on the Rangers Sports Network.
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - MAY 13: Mickey Moniak #22 of the Colorado Rockies flips his bas as he rounds the bases after hitting a three run home run in the fifth inning during the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on May 13, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) | Getty Images
I was having trouble settling on a Purple Row After Dark topic tonight because I was distracted by the absurdity that was the Rockies game today.
By the time it was over, Colorado had scored 23 runs on 24 hits.
Every Rockies starter had at least one hit. Every Rockies starter scored at least one run.
Nobody in the Rockies lineup had a birthday today, but it might as well have been everyone’s birthday.
Which brings me to a baseball belief I have always had:
Play the birthday guy.
Baseball is already loaded with superstition. Lucky socks, rally caps, dugout routines, not saying certain things out loud — this sport has never been shy about chasing vibes. So if a player’s birthday offers even the smallest chance of baseball magic, why not lean in?
Mickey Moniak gave the theory a pretty strong push earlier this season. On his birthday, he did exactly what the birthday guy is supposed to do: he homered.
But because baseball is baseball, there is actual data for this. Baseball Savant has a Birthday Index, built by Sarah Langs, that compares how players perform on their birthdays against how they perform every other day.
Naturally, I opened it.
The June 14 leaderboard had a familiar name at the top: Greg Brock.
Brock played 10 MLB seasons with the Dodgers and Brewers, finishing with 110 home runs, 10 WAR, and a 105 OPS+. He also hit 44 home runs for the 1982 Albuquerque Dukes, giving Rockies fans a loose Albuquerque connection through today’s Isotopes.
Greg Brock was also my high school baseball coach.
At that point, I was fully invested.
As for the Rockies, Moniak is the easy headliner because he already delivered the birthday homer. He ranks fourth among active players with a 4.7 Birthday Index, and the numbers are as ridiculous as you would hope: in three birthday games, he has gone 6-for-11 with a double, a triple, two home runs, a .545 batting average, a 1.947 OPS, and a .784 wOBA.
Willi Castro was less fortunate. He has a 2.6 Birthday Index, but he was injured the night before his April 24 birthday and missed the chance to test the theory in a Rockies uniform. That is too bad, because Castro’s birthday line is strong: three hits in seven plate appearances, two home runs, a .429 batting average, a 1.858 OPS, and a .759 wOBA.
Jake McCarthy and Ezequiel Tovar are the next proven birthday bats to watch. McCarthy owns a 2.0 Birthday Index and has gone 5-for-9 in two birthday games, with two doubles, a .556 batting average, and a 1.334 OPS. His next birthday game opportunity comes July 30. Tovar follows two days later on August 1 with a 1.8 Birthday Index, built on five hits in three birthday games. Four of those hits have been doubles, good for a .357 average and a 1.043 OPS.
There are a few first-time cases before then. Troy Johnston has the first upcoming Rockies hitter birthday on June 22, followed by Sterlin Thompson on June 26. Kyle Karros is next on July 26. None of them has played in a major-league game on his birthday yet, so the sample size is nonexistent. Which, honestly, makes the experiment cleaner.
Of course, the Birthday Index also makes it clear this is not universal. Some players get the cake and the candles and still go 0-for-4. That is baseball. The Rockies have had a few fun birthday lines to point to, but the point is not that birthdays guarantee anything.
It is that in a 162-game season, with all the weirdness this sport already allows for, I am fine giving the birthday guy a start.
Let him swing. See if the birthday luck can carry.
Pitchers are trickier because of rotations, of course — although given the state of Rockies starting pitching, maybe birthday vibes are worth trying there too.
So what do you think: Play the birthday guy, or is it completely irrelevant once the game starts? Has anyone ever had birthday luck show up on the field, at work, or somewhere else in real life? Or is this just one more baseball superstition that feels true because it is more fun that way?
I’m running out of things to say about Josiah Hartshorn. The only thing I can really compare him to is Kris Bryant, but Bryant was coming out of college and was 22 when he hit .355 with 22 home runs in 68 games for Double-A Tennessee in 2014.
Left-hander Luke Little was demoted to Double-A Knoxville from Triple-A Iowa.
Before I get into the stats, let me explain that Iowa scored five runs in the top of the tenth and James Triantos hit a three-run home run. But the rains came and washed out the bottom of the tenth, so the score reverted to a 4-4 tie.
Starter Doug Nikhazy went four innings and allowed two runs on three hits. He struck out six and walked no one. Both runs off Nikhazy came on a fourth-inning home run by Héctor Rodríguez.
Center fielder James Triantos was 2 for 4 with two runs batted in. It would have been five if it hadn’t rained when it did.
Right fielder Justin Dean went 2 for 4 with a walk and a stolen base. He also had a two-run single in the tenth that didn’t count.
The Knoxville Smokies ate the Montgomery Biscuits (Rays), 4-3. The win and the Lookouts’ loss moved the Smokies into sole possession of first place in the Southern League North Division. The Smokies and the Lookouts start a six-game series in Knoxville on Tuesday to end the first half.
Brooks Caple allowed three runs on just two hits over the first five innings. All three runs were unearned, although it was his own throwing error that opened the gates to a three-run bottom of the third. Caple walked three and struck out one.
Next, Yenrri Rojas threw two scoreless innings, giving up just one hit. He struck out one and walked no one.
Luke Little pitched the bottom of the eighth inning and got the win in his first game with the Smokies since 2023. Little walked a batter with one out, but then he picked him off first base. The he allowed a two-out single before finishing off the inning with his only strikeout.
Erian Rodriguez pitched the ninth and got his first professional save. He gave up a two-out single, but no other baserunners. Rodriguez struck out two.
DH Andy Garriola hit a sacrifice fly that scored catcher Owen Ayers in the top of the ninth that ended up being the winning run. Garriola went 1 for 4 with a triple and the sac fly. He scored once.
Ayers doubled twice and walked once in a 2 for 4 afternoon.
First baseman Cameron Sisneros hit a solo home run in the top of the eighth to tie the score. It was Sisneros’ first Double-A home run and seventh overall. Sisneros was a perfect 2 for 2 with two walks.
Third baseman Jefferson Rojas was 3 for 5 and scored once.
Right fielder Alex Ramírez went 2 for 5 with three steals.
Alfredo Romero pitched the first three innings, allowing three runs on three hits. All three runs came on a home run in the top of the third. Romero walked two and struck out four.
Nazier Mulé handled the next three innings and got the win. Mulé allowed just one hit and no runs. He struck out four and walked two.
Kenton Egbert, Nate Williams and Ethan Bell each threw a scoreless inning to close out the game in non-save situations.
DH Josiah Hartshorn did it again with a solo home run in the eighth inning. It was Hartshorn’s eighth home run in 18 games in South Bend and 13th overall. Hartshorn went 3 for 4 with a walk, the home run and a stolen base. He scored twice and had two overall runs batted in.
Back in the fifth inning, right fielder Miguel Useche hit a three-run home run, his seventh with South Bend and eighth overall. Useche went 1 for 4 and he was hit by a pitch.
Left fielder Jose Escobar hit a two-run triple in the bottom of the first inning. Escobar went 1 for 3 with two walks and the triple.
Second baseman Alex Madera was 2 for 5 with three steals. He scored one run.
Third baseman Matt Halbach went 2 for 5 and scored twice.
Starter Pierce Coppola went four innings and allowed just one run on three hits. Coppola walked two and struck out three.
David Bracho gave up a three-run home run in the seventh, but he got the win because Coppola didn’t go five innings. Bracho’s final line was three runs on one hit over four innings. Bracho walked four and struck out four.
Jordan Henriquez came on in the ninth to get the save with a 6-4 lead. After retiring the first two batters of the inning, he gave up a solo home run. Then Henriquez got a ground out to end the game and record the save. He struck out one.
Right fielder Alexey Lumpuy led off the bottom of the first inning with a solo home run, his third of the year. Lumpuy was 1 for 3 with a walk and a hit by pitch.
In the fourth inning, left flieder Geuri Lubo homered with the bases empty. It was Lubo’s fourth home run of the season. Lubo was 2 for 4.
Catcher Logan Poteet hit the Pelicans third and final home run of the game with a man on in the fifth. Poteet now has ten home runs this year. Poteet also had an RBI double in the third inning, giving him three RBI on the game. Poteet went 3 for 4 with the double and the home run.
Lumpuy homers to lead off the bottom of the first.
Alexey Lumpuy goes yard for the second night in a row!
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 16: A generic photo of the Larry O'Brien championship trophy during the NBC Sports and Rockefeller Center 30 Rocks Activation in Celebration of the NBA's Return to NBC and Peacock on October 16, 2025 at Rockefeller Center in New York , New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The New York Knicks, for the first time since 1973, are NBA champions. Their victory represents something unique in the modern NBA. They are the first team since Isiah Thomas and the 1990 Detroit Pistons to be led by an undersized, physical guard all the way to a championship. Sure, you can point to Steph Curry as the best player on the Golden State Warriors dynasty. But Curry doesn’t occupy the same space as Jalen Brunson. And once Kevin Durant arrived in Golden State, much of the burden was lifted from Curry’s shoulders for two of those four championships.
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – JUNE 13: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks celebrates with the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy after the victory against the San Antonio Spurs in Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Brunson is different. He is the exception to the rule. Historically, smaller players struggle to withstand the physical toll of four consecutive playoff rounds. I think of how Chris Paul broke down in 2021 and am reminded that’s one of the reasons teams built around undersized guards rarely end up holding the Larry O’Brien Trophy at the end of the season. Yet that’s exactly what Brunson and the Knicks accomplished.
The NBA has always been a copycat league. Whenever a team wins a championship, the natural reaction is to point to that team and declare it the blueprint. Front offices study it. Fans debate it. Media members write about it. Everyone searches for the secret formula.
What I find fascinating about the Knicks’ title run is that it serves as another reminder that there is no singular blueprint. In fact, this is now the third consecutive season in which the league’s perceived North Star has changed. Three years ago, the focus was on one model. Then another champion emerged and shifted the conversation. Now the Knicks have done it again.
Three seasons ago, the Boston Celtics hoisted the trophy in 2024. Their recipe for success was straightforward. Build from within around two elite wings in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, then supplement that core through the trade market. They added Kristaps Porzingis, Derrick White, and Jrue Holiday, creating a roster that was deep, versatile, and built to complement its stars. They also leaned heavily into modern basketball. The Celtics attempted more three-pointers per game than any team in the league while finishing second in three-point percentage. They combined elite shooting with elite roster construction and rode that formula to a championship.
The following season, the Oklahoma City Thunder won the title. Their path looked completely different. Yes, they benefited from acquiring Shai Gilgeous Alexander in the Paul George trade, and yes, he developed into an MVP-caliber player. But Oklahoma City’s blueprint centered on drafting and development. They identified Shai as their cornerstone, then strategically surrounded him with players and archetypes that complemented his skill set while creating one of the most disruptive defenses in basketball.
Then came this season and the New York Knicks. Their roster was assembled through a completely different process. Jalen Brunson arrived via free agency, but much of the roster around him was built through trades. Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart all arrived through deals that required New York to part with significant assets.
In many ways, the Knicks are an example of what the Suns attempted to become in 2023. Phoenix pushed its chips to the center of the table, sacrificing future assets in pursuit of a championship. The Knicks did the same thing. The difference is that New York found the right combination of players, chemistry, timing, and health to make it work.
That’s the lesson. Many teams attempt to build a champion through aggressive trades. Very few actually pull it off. This time, the Knicks did.
All of this is a reminder that there is no singular blueprint for building a champion in the NBA. This isn’t the NFL, where a dominant running game and consistent defense can dramatically raise your ceiling. This isn’t Major League Baseball, where the absence of a salary cap allows teams to backload contracts, stockpile talent, and overwhelm opponents with financial muscle.
The NBA is different. It’s restrictive. It’s unforgiving. And it requires an incredible amount of precision to build a contender, let alone a champion. What the last three seasons have shown us is that there are multiple paths to the top of the mountain. Boston built around homegrown stars and supplemented them through trades. Oklahoma City built through patience, drafting, and development. New York aggressively utilized the trade market and surrounded its star with complementary pieces that fit.
Different paths. Same destination. So, how does this relate to the Phoenix Suns?
Well, the Suns are operating with a $23.2 million anvil tied to their ankle in the form of dead cap money. Every decision they make is impacted by it. Every move they consider has to be weighed against it. It limits flexibility, limits options, and limits margin for error. If Phoenix were somehow able to navigate those challenges and win a championship during this era, it might be the most impressive accomplishment of all the examples we’ve discussed.
But that’s also why there should be hope. The last three champions have reminded us that there isn’t only one way to build a winner. There isn’t a universal formula that guarantees success. Every organization has different circumstances, different strengths, and different obstacles. The challenge is identifying who you are, committing to a direction, and executing it better than everyone else. That’s the task in front of the Phoenix Suns. And while the road ahead is difficult, recent NBA history reminds us that difficult doesn’t mean impossible.
